When should I stretch, before or after my workout?
Stretching is an important component of your exercise routine to both reduce post exercise muscle soreness and reduce your risk of injury. The optimum time to stretch is at the end of your workout because then you will be thoroughly warmed up and you will also be more relaxed because you have completed your session.
When you are more relaxed, body tension is reduced and hence you will find that you can stretch further. It is possible to stretch before your main workout, for example a runner who is doing an intensive speed session might stretch before they begin running fast, but if you want to stretch before you train then you must complete a warm-up for at least 10 minutes before you start, so as to avoid injury.
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