Stretch
 

Should I be stretching after my workout?

Why the answer is “yes”: It makes you stronger. Lifting weights damages your muscles and stretching will help keep tissue relaxed, improving your recovery time, and ultimately, getting you back in the gym faster. PT Jason Patmore says stretching helps the muscle become more pliable, allowing it to withstand a greater load before seizing up. Put simply, if you stretch, you’ll be able to lift more in the long-term.

A post-session stretch will help your muscles heal, but keep any pre-session mobility work light if you’re aiming for a new PB. The journal Medical Science in Sports and Exercise found static stretching, such as the shoulder stretch below, slightly decreases power and performance if done before vigorous exercises. Save five minutes at the end of a gym session to work on any stiff muscles.