Stretching before workouts is important for several reasons. Some of the benefits of stretching are:

• It increases flexibility, which can improve your range of motion and prevent injuries¹².
• It enhances blood flow to the muscles, which can reduce fatigue and boost energy levels³⁴.
• It prepares your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues for the exercise, which can improve your performance and reduce the risk of muscle damage²⁵.

However, stretching before workouts should be done carefully and correctly. Some tips to follow are:

• Do dynamic stretching, which involves moving your joints and muscles through their full range of motion, rather than static stretching, which involves holding a position for a long time¹².
• Avoid stretching too hard or too fast, which can cause pain or injury. Stretch only to the point of mild discomfort, not pain¹².
• Warm up before stretching, which can increase your body temperature and make your muscles more pliable. You can do some light cardio, such as jogging, cycling, or skipping, for 5 to 10 minutes before stretching¹².
• Focus on the areas that are most involved in your workout, such as your calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, and quadriceps for lower-body exercises, or your shoulders, neck, and lower back for upper-body exercises¹².

Source: Conversation with Bing, 3/2/2024
(1) Stretching: Focus on flexibility – Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931.
(2) The importance of stretching – Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching.
(3) Learn Why It’s Important to Stretch Every Day – Valor Fitness. https://valorfitness.com/blogs/all/the-importance-of-stretching-before-and-after-workouts.
(4) Stretching Pre and Post Workout – Moriarty PT. https://moriartypt.com/stretching-before-after-workout/.
(5) 5 Benefits To Stretching Before and After You Exercise. https://calirehab.com/5-benefits-to-stretching-before-and-after-you-exercise/.