Forum menu
Not sure of the benefits if any. Just wondered.
Nope, but i think i probably should
Yes. Absolutely without fail.
it has made a massive difference to my riding on road and MTB.
More flexability, less pain, less stiffness, what’s not to like.
Only if its a spin/turbo session.
On normal rides I just spin out easily in the last few minutes.
British Cycling say you should:-
Yes indeed. Before and after and a couple of times during the day. Not a massive session. Just a few minutes each time.
Was having lots of trouble with ITB. Olivia the physia did what she could but said only real long term solution was to do regular stretches.
Took a bit of getting used to but now I have a system and it just becomes part of my daily life.
Generally, yes. I never used to and I think it has helped a lot, I used to always be stiff and sore for a couple of days, much better now (but also riding more and a lot fitter so not sure if it's being fitter or stretching that helped).
nope.
but if I don't stretch after running I'm crippled for days.
No, I'm always knackered. I do stretch quite a lot during the week though. I sometimes stretch just after the start of a ride (yes, I do yoga on the fireroads...)
I don't for riding but do for other stuff like running.
I probably should do, but as I have to drive to ride I tend not to bother.
I tried to get into this but not with any great success. It's mainly hamstrings and lower back for me so i just do a few of those rather than 15 minutes full on.
I like her videos but can't help thinking she looks like she has really big feet
Might give that a go, I take it that's for post workout?
Running, yes, definitely or I wouldn't be able to walk the next day.
If a long ride, I'll stretch to a pint or two.
Yes, title says 15 minute post ride but the captions just say 15 minute Bike Yoga
There's also about 6 or 7 minutes of breathing and relaxation stuff, the actual stretches are only about half the time
i usually do some stretching and mobility before a ride which I definitely feel helps but usually find I am to tired after.
Yeah, have to do at least a couple of types of stretches or my muscles feel all tingly at bedtime.
Hmm, I've been thinking the same. I really should.
I used to! When I was younger, more flexible and played other sports, I stretched when I got home every time. Don't now, unless I have a particular stiff muscle. I will endeavour to do so, cos I know I should.
Nope never but I cool down easy ride start/end to warm up/down. Never stretched, warm up/down always. Same I guess but more focused on what your about to do. No injuries.
I never do with no warm up or warm down. I find the lower back has a good workout after a ride, as do the legs.
Think I will try it although I hope it does not do more harm than good as I have never done it before and surley my body must need to readjust after.
I find having some protein ( well quite alot in a shake ) after a ride helps my muscles too, although thats another thread.
There seem to be varying opinions on whether it has any benefit or not, but my own experience has been very positive.
For around 10 years I've had aches in my glutes. Didn't think much of it for a long time. It gradually got a little worse, not really bothering me so much on the bike, but more so afterwards. Eventually it got to the point I would sometimes have to stop the car and sort myself out after a ride because it ached so bad. Then it started bothering me sitting at work, driving home - basically all of the time. Couple of weeks of stretches after riding sorted it out completely (I did stretch before that, but had never found anything that actually stretched my glutes). It'll start to come back again if I don't stretch for a couple of months but a couple of days stretching sorts it out.
Generally I feel fresher and looser stretching after a ride. Removes all that stiffness. I am by nature completely inflexible, so that's perhaps part of the reason I find it so invaluable.
Have a read of "becoming a supple leopard", part self help, part physiotherapy textbook.
The gist of it is you shouldnt need to stretch as long but you should make sure that your body is able to move through its full range of motions, but you shouldnt use them and instead concentrate on thinking through movements to keep the loads on your spine and joints as low as possible (the good old "lift with your legs not your back" but applied to every body part).
It's a (very) big book, but worth reading at least a few chapters if like me youre constantly plagued by niggling or painfully injuries.
"Eventually it got to the point I would sometimes have to stop the car and sort myself out after a ride because it ached so bad." Luckily this sentence is in context 🙂
Personally I dont habitually. I'll stretch a bit before starting a longer ride or run and the same post. Guess I should. I ticked yoga off the list last winter but its cost put me off continuing - perhaps at home with a Youtube guru would be a good idea as I did really enjoy it (although I was rubbish).
It's infrequent that I stretch immediately after a ride, mostly I'll just leave it for a few hours later, or right before bed or just later in the week. Have never followed a full routine. For the past few years I've slowly been working out which flexibility and mobility movements and stretches etc work for me and building up a loose routine which I try to do 2 or 3 times a week. It's a bit of a mix of stretching/yoga/mobility.
hardly ever.....and by that I really mean never!
Really really should be I don't know where to start
paulneenan76 Yoga With Adriene is probably a good place to start. If you don't like her, then there's plenty of others…
If anyone is interested in Becoming a Supple Leopard (as mentioned by thisisnotaspoon), then Kelly Starrett has a YouTube channel that's worth checking out.
Nope. I even try to skive off when at the gym too. It’s the only thing more boring than running. I end up doing it under duress 😕
After a ride I can generally stretch to a cup of tea and a cake.
Yes
At least 2 inches taller
I try to now I'm 40. My muscles tend to tighten up and I have back problems so stretching helps.
Eventually it got to the point I would sometimes have to stop the car and sort myself out
Watching those Abi videos gives me a similar urge.....
Yes.
Since maybe a year or so?
Yes and before and after driving. No more achy lower back.
Started off doing the Abi videos which did benefit (I think) and now do a mix of Abi and SarahBeth Yoga. Don't do it as often as I should, but seems to help when I have a particularly sore back. Both easy on the eye too...
Only to reach my post-ride pint and pie.
I've been watching Rhyanna Watson's yoga channel on youtube, but that's more entertainment value than yoga.
Nope, static stretches are almost pointless. Dynamic stretches however...
So… Don't be checking out Rhyanna Watson yoga videos at work. 😱
She's not wearing much… 🤔
Yes, if I don’t I’m in agony. I spoke to a guy and he gave me some MTB specific stretches. Feel 10 years younger
I tend to drink red wine when I get home then wait till I wake up at 3am with excruciating cramp and do my calf and hamstring stretches then.
I tend to stretch my hamstrings twice a day. Doesn't seem to do much, but have recently found out I'm supposed to stretch my quads at the same time.
Yes, I unless I forget. I stretch 100% of the time after the gym but sometimes if it’s wet or the bike is muddy I forget.
I was having issues with cramp and started seeing a sports physio. I was quite proud of the fact he told me I’m the least flexible person he’d had as a customer that actually did exercise. He’s given me a stretching regime to follow and it made such a huge difference. It’s helped my cycling and made a huge difference to my lifting in the gym too.
I started a yoga for cyclists class a couple of months ago, which concentrates on stretching the hamstrings, lower back, etc and it’s great. I feel more flexible already.
I don't stretch and never had any ill effects from not doing so. I've always been vaguely suspicious of the long term benefits, but no doubt there are many studies to disprove that.
Maybe I'll do it when I get old.
I was thinking about this the other day. I do a lot of stretching before and after a gym session, but never for cycling or running. A bit daft really.
I took up yoga a few years ago and do it every week. It’s a good class a lot f stretching, balance and core work.
I think it’s raised my awareness of my own body. It helps you notice things like general posture and movement. During work I will find myself hunching into the typical cyclist position and think pull your shoulders back, curve your spin, straighten your back.
You feel taller and better aligned. If I’m waiting for something like the kettle to boil I’ll stretch a bit if I feel anything that’s tight.
I suffered a torn Achilles about 15 years ago and after surgery it always felt tight due to the shortening of the muscle from surgery. The stretching and yoga have probably helped that to feel as good as it’s ever felt since the injury. For me that on its own makes it worth while.