Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 383, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

Join group

Stretching

voton91
voton91
Posts: 24
Joined: 2002/05/15
United States
2004/04/23, 09:37 PM
Hi, I have a crossbow and I have been doing the General Progression progam. I have a few questions about stretching. It says to stretch at least three minutes before each excersise. Do I just stretch the muscles I will be using for the excersise before each excersise? If so isnt three minutes a little too much to stretch one muscle? Also, its says to stretch between sets. Do I also just stretch the muscle I am using in that excersise and for how long do I stretch it? How long should I be waiting between sets and excersises? Sorry for asking all the questions, but I am a beginner to weight training so I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right. Thanks
asimmer
asimmer
Posts: 8,201
Joined: 2003/01/07
United States
2004/04/24, 09:49 AM
Save your stretching for after your workout. recent studies have shown that pre-stretching actually reduces the efficiency of the contractile fibers in your muscles, meaning they generate less power after being stretched.

Do be sure to do a good general warm-up (walking, marching in place, jumping jacks) for 5-10 minutes before you work out.

If you are maxing out each set, the last few reps are very difficult, near failure or to failure, you need up to a minute inbetween sets. However, the time you rest inbetween sets is one of the variables yuo can play with to change your workouts. If you are panting - rest and recover your breath so you have energy for the next set, if you are supersetting or doing a circuit, just keep moving on to the next exercise, stopping only for a si[p of water if you need it.

--------------
If you fall down seven times, get up eight.