Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition

This is interesting, and I agree to a point - circulation is often as important as loose muscles. But what about activities like yoga and pilates, that seem to be comprised mostly of stretching? I use these types of exercise to get me in shape for riding, because there is really no other type that utilizes the same muscles. And I definitely feel it, and feel stronger after consistent workouts.

I was very curious about those activities also. While I haven't found any concrete evidence to back my suspicions I will share them with you anyway. Using yoga and pilates as a supplemental activity will help you improve flexibility in those muscles and reduce injury. The difference between stretching and yoga (or pilates) is that you are using your WHOLE body. To do some poses in yoga or pilates involves most of the muscles in your body (some that would otherwise not be utilized by the most active person).

It is my theory that as much as yoga and pilates are stretching they are also a little bit of strength training. Also, remember, stretching will weaken your muscles, but for a maximum of 30 minutes. I don't think this temporary weakening during these activities doesn't prevent the benefits of yoga/pilates.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Good thoughts. These exercises definitely make me stronger; I'll argue with anyone who tells me otherwise. You need a strong core (more than just "abs") to ride a sitting trot and the like on a bouncy, long-strided horse!

Yoga and pilates are both strengthening exercises at their core. Isometric contraction.

You can pick any subject, ANY SUBJECT, and some one will find an opposing view. Is this peculiar to engineers? I think not.

I disagree.

I completely disagree with both posts 4 and 5.

I agree

1 block walk to Pub, (light aerobic activity) followed by 16 oz. curls...Always makes me fell stronger

stretching your muscles regularly increases elasticity and improves flexibility and make you remain active .If you do anything excessive , it may hurt or weaken the muscles. But mild stretching exercise would surely keep you fit.

This really isn't anything new. A good exercise regime includes streching in off days and no stretching in heavy resistance days.

I am sure that stretching before activities are still taught in high schools internationally. If you already knew, great. But for those that didn't know, it is worth the blog entry.

It's certainly true that the blog is good info.

If I remember correctly, I've read that streching before some activities actually increases the risk of injury.

I believe that it depends on the activity, the purpose of the activity and the individual. Just like so many things...... there are many variables.

What is the data source for this discussion? I'd like to read the article.

Forget my last post. I guess I had a brain fart and missed the hyperlink.

I agree and disagree... I can see how plain stretching might be harmful before a workout unlike a dynamic stretching program (something like yoga or pilatees) because they are stimulating muscles by stretching them and also working them. But I think that the "harm" of stretching before a work out depends on the specific person. Not everyone's bodies work the same... does anyone agree?... also does anyone know if this applies to all types of athletes because I think that it might be harmful for athletes such as gymnasts to not stretch before their workouts.