bikehoco

Sorry dude, no one here is recommending you stretch cold muscles.

livedarklions

I've noticed that and, frankly, I think that's great news. Last stretching thread I can recall (and it wasn't that long ago--months, not years), a lot of people were pushing static stretching of a cold muscle, and I believe it's the only commonly practiced stretching technique.that actually can increase injuries. It is also a technique that trainers were pushing fairly recently, and I know I've had PT people make me do it in the past. It's largely stopped now because people are finally catching up on the scientific literature on this, and no longer pushing it. Also, I don't think the trainers could ignore the findings that it may actually impair performance to a small degree.

I've been really specific in saying, repeatedly, that the only thing I'm objecting to is telling people they need to stretch or they'll get injured or that stretching will reduce their likelihood of getting injured. There's just no proof that that is true. Sincerely, I hope you find a stretch program that works better for you.

livedarklions

What do you mean by those "stretching exercises"? Is there something I could refer to and see what they are? That doesn't sound anything like the stretches I grew up with and hated so much. Hell, it might even be something I'd be interested in doing.

indyfabz

Which chain lube is best for stretching?

kahn

Bengay. The odor alone relaxes both you and the chain.

Besides, I just learned:

"

Other uses

Bengay can be used to remove chewing gum from clothing, as the methyl salicylate serves to loosen and diffuse the gum base"

locolobo13 

My stretching routine is adapted from one the physical therapist gave me for a lower back problem years ago. Combo of dynamic stretching, static stretching and isometrics. It works for me.

If you're looking for a site with advice try these guys.
https://www.youtube.com/c/BobBrad/videos

livedarklions

Methyl is a really funny-sounding word. Good name for a dog.

PeteHski

Oh it's nothing fancy at all, just very basic Yoga poses for beginners e.g. Downward Dog, Tree, Warrior, Bridge, Child, Sun Salutations etc and a few hip-openers.

This sort of thing, but not quite so elegantly performed!

livedarklions

Too bendy for my body, but thanks!
My sense on yoga is it definitely seems to do a lot of good for a lot of people, but it combines so many things that it's impossible to sort out what exactly is causing the benefit. My take on this is like all things--if it's working for you, who cares why?

PeteHski

If I'm honest I struggle with many of the yoga poses too, but the idea is really to bend as much as you comfortably can rather than perfectly match the poses. Once you take that approach it's a lot less daunting. I think the benefit comes from making the effort to actually use all of your joints regularly. Daily routine and biking simply doesn't achieve that for me. Not consistently anyway. I don't actually think I'm getting any more flexible, but I have no aches, pains or stiffness in my joints and I haven't lost any flexibility over the years. Still can't touch my toes without bending my knees!

razorjack

wrong, stretching (stretched body) is more difficult to damage (like muscle tore, or tendons) during a crash or accident.
Also with better stretch you can 'operate' on a bike with greater freedom. (bike setup has nothing to do)

livedarklions

My understanding is use is more important than stretching in keeping joints healthy, and it sounds like you're combining both so who cares exactly how that mix works as long as it serves your purpose? It's all good.

I use an elliptical at high resistance with a lot of arm action, that works out pretty much all of the joints. I really haven't seen any reduction in flexibility over the years, still the non-stretchy guy I always have been. And, yeah, my knees bend for a reason. Why would I want to touch my toes without bending them? I have no idea why that's supposed to be a good or bad thing.

livedarklions

Total nonsense. I double dog dare you to find any medical studies that suggest stretching prevents damage from a crash or accident. It's not going to make you bouncier or whatever.

I have no idea what operating with greater freedom is supposed to mean. If you're talking about road riding, that's a silly assertion. Maybe it makes sense in something like BMX where you've got to contort yourself into multiple very different positions quickly, but on a road that's not a real thing.

razorjack

If you are not stretched (and warmed up), during a crash, you will reach end of your joints motions faster - thus, greater risk of tearing somethinh

yep, i'm talking about MTB (it's a bike forum after all), better range of motion - better handling.
on a road bike ppl sit in similar position most of the time, which creates similar problems at the end.... tightness in some areas (+office job for example), and you have imbalance (one part of a body is strong, other weak etc.)

coffeesnob

I did just that stretched my quads too much when I was cold. Not a good idea.

livedarklions

That's still nonsense no matter how many times you repeat it. Your intuition is not proof.

I'll leave it to people who MTB as to whether what you're saying makes sense there. I doubt it seriously.

Iride01 

So you stretch before you get in your car to drive? Or before you go for a walk?

You might be involved in a crash while doing those too.

razorjack

thank You for insightful thoughts ! I'll consider that ....

why is it that roadies so often don't understand biking...?

frogman

I wouldn't be so kind in the response. He was trying to be funny with his sarcastic comment.

PeteHski

I know you are being sarcastic here. But a lot of people with poor flexibility or stiff joints struggle to get in and out of cars (often a reason why they prefer SUVs) and often strain their necks looking over their shoulder. I've even done the latter myself a few times in the car.

wolfchild

Stretching isn't going to prevent broken bones, dislocated shoulder, broken wrist, concussions, internal injuries, broken clavicle, torn rotator cuff or any other injuries in an event of a crash.

razorjack

oh, really, Captain Obvious?

i didn't say it will save you from broken bones, but definitely can decrease chance of injuries (including tearing things...)
If you do any sports, you would know that with most of them (chess or poker would be an exception here) people DO dynamic stretching before, to increase range of motions and avoid injuries.
and definitely if you do biking (don't mistake with roadies ), anything more serious than leisure XC, riders DO dynamic stretching, and also they do stretching after a ride, to keep extended range of motions...
__________________
Transition Sentinel | Spesh Tarmac

Iride01 

I suppose it was a little sarcastic. But I was trying to point out to the person I was responding to that if being limber for wrecks on a bicycle was a reason for stretching before riding a bike, then why isn't it a reason for stretching before diving a car or most anything else we do? And though I've had a few spectacular wrecks, I don't have them often.

The thread topic to my knowledge is not about people with poor flexibility or stiff joints.

Eh, scratch that, I just went back and looked at the OP.

tduncan86

as someone who has procrastinated for many years, I think yoou just got to get started on something, slowly but diligently.

rsbob 

AS an ER Physician, my father took care of 100s of MVAs. The people who tended to have the highest survival rates were drunks, because they were so loose compared to sober people whom would tense up and brace themselves. Not scientific but a common phenomenon noted in the ER. Of course being flexible versus inflexible in a bike accident are not exactly the same thing, but there are parallels. Or as a wise man said, it is better to bend in the wind like a willow than to be rigid and snap.