Stretching - Does it make you fitter?

Mac Cormaic

I'm wondering could anyone offer me any advice from their own experiences.

If a person spent a hour say four times a week, stretching every muscle in their body, would it make them fitter? Of has flexibility anything to do with fitness?

Also, in relation to the same topic, would say doing light weights repetively for an hour (mixing between a few sets), and a few core exercises, say like mixing sit-ups and press ups etc for half an hour, would those type of exercises make an individual fitter, if the target was to do as many repetitions in the shortest time?

The reason I ask is I'm out with an ankle injury and want to maintain my level of fitness as far as possible, as it could be quiet a while before I'm running again properly.

bart simpson

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

I'm wondering could anyone offer me any advice from their own experiences.

If a person spent a hour say four times a week, stretching every muscle in their body, would it make them fitter? Of has flexibility anything to do with fitness?

Also, in relation to the same topic, would say doing light weights repetively for an hour (mixing between a few sets), and a few core exercises, say like mixing sit-ups and press ups etc for half an hour, would those type of exercises make an individual fitter, if the target was to do as many repetitions in the shortest time?

The reason I ask is I'm out with an ankle injury and want to maintain my level of fitness as far as possible, as it could be quiet a while before I'm running again properly.

dont think the above will do much for running fitness.....swimming is great, you still wont get running fitness from it but still with your injury id say its the best

christeb

Fitness is defined as composing of strength, stamina and flexibility. So in that context, yes.

As to whether it improves your running performance, most would say yes (as it increases recovery) although you'll get one or two free-thinking anarchists (TF Bubendorfer is one IIRC) who strongly disagree. I'm in the former camp.

RoyMcC

christeb wrote: »

Fitness is defined as composing of strength, stamina and flexibility. So ini that context, yes.

That's a bit of a suspect definition christeb What about power? Endurance? Speed? Aerobic capacity? I'm not sure flexibility is even an element of fitness, though it does act as an enabler of the other elements.

TFBubendorfer

christeb wrote: »

Fitness is defined as composing of strength, stamina and flexibility. So in that context, yes.

As to whether it improves your running performance, most would say yes (as it increases recovery) although you'll get one or two free-thinking anarchists (TF Bubendorfer is one IIRC) who strongly disagree. I'm in the former camp.

That's true, I don't believe in stretching (and yes, I did try). I'm perfectly aware that I'm in the minority in this one, though that's the first time I've been outed as an anarchist.

Mac Cormaic

bart simpson wrote: »

dont think the above will do much for running fitness.....swimming is great, you still wont get running fitness from it but still with your injury id say its the best

I started back cycling today which seemed to go fairly well, but won't get much of a chance to cycle at the moment till the long nights start to come in. I'm also doing a variety of leg exercises with a stretch-band. I had planned to do swimming once a week as part of my training program, mostly to just give the legs a rest every few days.

robinph

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

That's true, I don't believe in stretching (and yes, I did try). I'm perfectly aware that I'm in the minority in this one, though that's the first time I've been outed as an anarchist.

I don't go in for much of that stretching malarkey much either. I may sometimes try and look the part a bit after a race, but that would probably just be called leaning against a tree by anyone else.

Mac Cormaic

RoyMcC wrote: »

That's a bit of a suspect definition christeb What about power? Endurance? Speed? Aerobic capacity? I'm not sure flexibility is even an element of fitness, though it does act as an enabler of the other elements.

But surely maintaining a variety of stretches on the muscles in the legs for an hour several times a week, is hugely beneficial to the growth, strength and endurance of those muscles.

For example if I spent 15 minuts a day with strong prolonged streteches on the Quadriceps, when i do get back into long runs, its less likely that my Quadricepts would be ache the following day.

I'm not suggesting that Stretches would increase my fitness, or maintain an identical fitness level within certain types of muscles used for running, but surely stretching is just a simplier form to an actual workout.

Also lifting the same light weight 500 times in a row, that builds up a sweat can surely be regarded as a form of aerobic exercise.

Maybe I should have asked would Yoga Stretches maintain fitness

RoyMcC

Mac Cormaic wrote: »

But surely maintaining a variety of stretches on the muscles in the legs for an hour several times a week, is hugely beneficial to the growth, strength and endurance of those muscles.

For example if I spent 15 minuts a day with strong prolonged streteches on the Quadriceps, when i do get back into long runs, its less likely that my Quadricepts would be ache the following day.

I'm not suggesting that Stretches would increase my fitness, or maintain an identical fitness level within certain types of muscles used for running, but surely stretching is just a simplier form to an actual workout.

Also lifting the same light weight 500 times in a row, that builds up a sweat can surely be regarded as a form of aerobic exercise.

Maybe I should have asked would Yoga Stretches maintain fitness

I think a stretching/yoga/Pilates routine is all good for general conditioning and certainly flexibility. But I don't think it will deliver the big benefits you imagine - I'm in Thomas's camp on this. There's more to be gained in limited time from weights and core routines. Imo of course

RacoonQueen

Yeah, I don't go in for this stretching stuff either. I do some fancy moves before or after a race, but it's only so I'll look like I know what I'm doing.

For the record, spending an hour a day won't do too much. Depending on what research you believe anyway. Ideally, you should spend say 15 minutes, 3 times a day doing it instead as the effects of stretching only lasts about 5 or 6 hours.

I have been making more effort in recent weeks. By that I mean I've gone for 14 or so runs and have stretched after 2 of them. By stretched I mean, I did a quick yoga move to stretch out my calves, got bored and hopped in the shower. I'm quite proud of my efforts though.

ecoli

Would be more traditional than these radical free thinkers.

I think on its own stretching wont build fitness but complimentary to other training it will do you wonders. When your muscles are tight they can have a knock on effect on other parts of your body which can result in injury. By using stretching to combat injury risk you are ensuring your training remains consistent which in turn will provide you with a greater level of fitness.

Also if your range of motion is optimal this can have an effect on stride. When muscles are tight they can lead to your stride shortening from its normal length.

Anedoctally I have tried to spend 3-4 nights a week doing stretching or yoga routines lasting anywhere from 20 min to an hour and have noticed a big difference. I have focused on my recovery aspect of training nearly as much as my mileage. The results were 50 days running so far consecutively, 65 miles a week average and a min PB in 10k while still in my base building strength phase comin off a 60 mile week.

Its not the only reason I have achieved this but it has helped an awful lot

AngryLips

What this discussion needs is a few yoga fanatics to add to the contributions.

Mr Slow

RacoonQueen wrote: »

By stretched I mean, I did a quick yoga move to stretch out my calves, got bored and hopped in the shower

I believe that's called the Jumping Vertical Racoon Pose.:D