Should You Stretch Before Your Run - A Guide
There’s so much information about stretching available through the internet, it can be hard to know what you actually need to keep running and feeling great, right?!
So let’s simplify it down.
Here’s what the research shows.
Stretching before running is not advisable. Wait, what?
Yes, research shows that doing a lot of stretching before your run can actually make you more susceptible to injuring yourself.
Now does this mean you have to skip all stretching entirely? No, just save it for after your run! Instead, focus on a dynamic warm-up.
Think leg kicks, walking lunges, hopping - things like that!
Focus on the muscles at work the hardest when you’re running and stretch those after your run.
Those muscles are your….
Calves - Yes, they actually work harder than your thighs when you run! Crazy, right?
Hamstrings - yes, always the hamstrings
Inner Thighs - Keeping these loose makes us less susceptible to IT Band pain, knee pain and even low back pain!
Remember that stretching is important, but strength is more important.
Yes, I hate to break it to you but as a runner, you need strength training two times a week. Why? It helps with pain prevention, it makes you faster, and it makes he’ll easier hills easier. I haven’t sold you yet?
Okay then….it also makes you less likely to injure. I know, I know you want to run more and that’s what you love. And maybe strength training isn’t your jam.
With a consistent strength training program, you can focus on what you love doing most. Running! And not the aches and pains that are holding you back. It doesn’t take a huge time commitment - we’re talking two sessions of 20 to 30 minutes a day!
Want to learn more and find out why these are so important? Join me on Instagram this week where we’re talking all about stretching myths.
