best stretches

[Darkangel]

I just started martial arts 2 weeks ago. I am 35 and I would like to know what some of the best streches might be. Thanks

[Sohan]

Welcome to the martial arts!

There's a sticky note at the top of this section that should answer all of your stretching questions. Good luck with your training!

Respectfully,

Sohan

[Darkangel]

thanks so much. it does have alot of info. so glad to be a part of this community.

[Aodhan]

thanks so much. it does have alot of info. so glad to be a part of this community.

The muscles that get the tightest on the average sedentary person are the hamstrings (Back of the legs) and the lower back muscles, and the abdominals get out of tone.

Pretty much any of the hip flexors/extensors (quads and hamstrings) are going to be your biggest challenge as far as kick height and reach.

Interestingly, it is often weak abdominal muscles that cause lower back pain. The abdominals don't do enough to support the torso, the lower back tries to make up for it, and wala! low back pain.

Always train opposing muscles to stay in balance.

Aodhan

[lowkicker]

The latest science indicates that static stretching (most trad. stretches) can cause more harm than good. In fact, you should NOT static stretch before a physical attivity such as martial arts. Dynamic, or motion oriented stretches should be used before a workout. Such as jumping jacks, arm circles, deep knee bends, ect. Static stretching still has value in overall flexibility, but to maintain any actual gains you must stretch at a minimum of twice daily.

[Aodhan]

The latest science indicates that static stretching (most trad. stretches) can cause more harm than good. In fact, you should NOT static stretch before a physical attivity such as martial arts. Dynamic, or motion oriented stretches should be used before a workout. Such as jumping jacks, arm circles, deep knee bends, ect. Static stretching still has value in overall flexibility, but to maintain any actual gains you must stretch at a minimum of twice daily.

Static stretching can cause harm if done without a proper warmup, true, but that does not mean they are no good.

Your advice is good, though. Dynamic stretching before workouts, static stretching after.

Aodhan

[TigerDude]

The latest science indicates

I think the latest science isn't really science, but maybe some scientist's opinion. Read 5 different books or studies & find 5 different answers.

[lowkicker]

The latest science indicates

I think the latest science isn't really science, but maybe some scientist's opinion. Read 5 different books or studies & find 5 different answers.

Thats an excellent point. So just for you information, I got these "facts" if you will, from a group of Martial Artists here in my area. They are doctors and students at UAB Medical center that decided to study stretching as a test case group for martial arts, but they found their results bled over into several atheletic endeavors. Certainly I'm no expert, but their study is good enough to warrant merit at least from me, and I thought I would share it with any that are interested. Thats the beauty of such a forum as this, we can gather all sorts of useful info and determine what is useful, or not useful to us individually. I'm glad we have such a place to share and learn from each other.