Does anyone know of a good guide to stretches? I am not particularly flexible, and want to build a day of stretches/flexibility work into my regular programme.

I stretch muscle groups before exercise, but could do with something a bit mew focussed. Would it be pilates or yoga? Or just a load of stretching?

Cheers

I stretch my muscle daily utilising the traditional method.

I've got a book called 'stretching' by Bob Anderson and it's got tons of erm, stretches in it.
You could use that to make your own routine up.

Or find a local yoga instructor who isn't into the 'lay down & fart' style of yoga, but a more active type of yoga and learn a few specific stretches.
I find yoga good for just relaxing in general, and it's more interesting than normal stretching as you move from one move to another & have to concentrate on balance, posture etc.

get yourself a foam roll (hard cylindrical foam thing)
bloody great.like a deep massage but you do it yourself.

Yoga? Sod that. Google "doggcrapp training".

"get yourself a foam roll (hard cylindrical foam thing)
bloody great.like a deep massage but you do it yourself."

I use that method too, with a hot waterbottle insert. Works a treat

I saw that foam roll in a magazine….cheers, I'll give it a go.

foam rolls are good, yoga, if you find the right instructor is fantastic for stretching as stumpy says

barry bethal, on my site is a link to a great yoga teacher. £5 a sesh iirc

have a look at bikeradar. stretching done this week.
I am going to get one of these. Have done a 1hr intro and it was ace.

Don't stretch before exercise. It has no proven benefit and increases the risk of injury.

Do it only after you've warmed up thoroughly or after exercise. Apparently evening is best.

Yeah – I've got a foam roll & it's good for massaging/unknotting certain muscles, but I wouldn't say it was a substitute for stretching/yoga.

stumpy01 – Member
I've got a book called 'stretching' by Bob Anderson

a good thing about the Bob Anderson book is that though full of stretches has some quick sport specific routines drawn out and even a guide to the essential if you've not much time

i've never managed to find a good stretching dvd though – would like to as hope would mean would actually spend the time rather than rush

Don't stretch before exercise. It has no proven benefit and increases the risk of injury.

Do it only after you've warmed up thoroughly or after exercise. Apparently evening is best.

The ex who has been a Personal trainer for 10yrs always told me think of your muscles as chewing gum..

Stretch when cold and they might snap
Stretch when warm and they are more pliable..

"I've got a book called 'stretching' by Bob Anderson and it's got tons of erm, stretches in it.
You could use that to make your own routine up."

One of the best out there and well worth getting

Don't stretch before exercise. It has no proven benefit and increases the risk of injury.

Do it only after you've warmed up thoroughly or after exercise. Apparently evening is best.

That would be my advice also. There is actually conflicting data that indicates that stretching (before or after) provides any benefits at all. Despite this I find stretching after exercise is best for me. (running)
Start your activity gently instead.

Iyengar yoga does it for me. Try an old tennis ball instead of the foam roller for the smaller areas.