Importance of Stretching

[AddiX]

It's funny how all the research coming out now is showing no advantage to stretching unless it is for a sport that requires flexibility....so gymnastics. There's no proof in helping speed or power not is there anything conclusive on preventing injury. You are actually more likely to injure yourself stretching.

I've read those reports, but I still stand by stretching before boxing.

Boxinis a far more flexible sport than you realize, I didn't realize how much so until I went into pure strength training. And after a year or so tried doing some boxing stuff.

The lack of flexibility in my muscles and joints was a huge difference. I just felt really tight, my hands were way slower too, and I couldn't turn over my punches as sharp or as fast as I use to.

[Boxfan83]

1.So how important is it as a Boxer to stretch?

2.Legs, Back, Shoulders what is more important to stretch?

3.What benefits do I get from stretching on a regular basis?

4.How long should I stretch and how often?

5.What happens if I dont stretch my muscles?

6.When should I stretch, after or before training?

7.How much do pros stretch?


Yup I know a lot of questions ^^

So how important is it as a Boxer to stretch?
Its medically proven, the more flexible you are the healthier you are. Also lanky muscle is better than tight muscle when it comes to boxing, so stretching is very important even moreso when you are older, kids/teens can get away without it but they should still do it.

Legs, Back, Shoulders[/I] what is more important to stretch?
I cannot recommend a certain muscle group being better to stretch than another but calves and core stretches are best to me.

What benefits do I get from stretching on a regular basis?
Benefit = flexibility & reflex.

How long should I stretch and how often?
Depends on age, a younger man can do about 15mins, older 25-30mins.

What happens if I dont stretch my muscles?
Muscle tightness, when your muscles are tight when you box, less oxygen and less blood circulates causing fatigue.

When should I stretch, after or before training?
You can split it up from mid workout to post workout, NEVER stretch pre-workout.

How much do pros stretch?
Cant answer that, Id assume alot would play on their age, prior injuries, and technique really. Im sure a guy like Tim Bradley due to his superb upperbody movement and punch flow strecthes alot more than a guy like Canelo Alvarez who has stiffer muscle .

[BG_Knocc_Out]

Never stretch without warming up first. Jumping rope has always been the standard boxing warm-up, so just put that at the front of your workout if you haven't. Complete your workout, then stretch towards the end. It'll help prevent stasis of lactate by thinning out the muscles allowing the acid to pass and clear (which takes care of muscle soreness). You don't need crazy 15 minute stretch routines, getting a full body stretch only takes about 4 minutes (make sure you're still thorough).

[PitbullParsons]

I've read those reports, but I still stand by stretching before boxing.

Boxinis a far more flexible sport than you realize, I didn't realize how much so until I went into pure strength training. And after a year or so tried doing some boxing stuff.

The lack of flexibility in my muscles and joints was a huge difference. I just felt really tight, my hands were way slower too, and I couldn't turn over my punches as sharp or as fast as I use to.

Boxing isn't a flexibility sport, it's about being loose. There's a difference. If you were doing pure strength training then your muscles will have tightened. You need to stretch AFTER you lift weights. This isn't so much about being flexible as it is about lengthening your muscles which will "shorten" if you are only doing weights. You want to do any stretching after your workouts and it's for muscle maintenance and repair not preventing injury.

Try this. Wake up for your road work stand with your legs straight and bend down to touch your toes. Now go for your roadwork and when you get home try to touch them again. If you couldn't do it before you ran, you should be able to now unless you were really far from being able to but you will be closer now. if you could touch then you can probably get your palms flat now. It's really simple when dealing with your muscles and tendons. Think of it as a piece of metal. A piece will only bend so much before stressing and cracking. Apply heat (warm up your muscles and tendons) and the piece of metal is much more pliable and easier to work with.

[AddiX]

Boxing isn't a flexibility sport, it's about being loose. There's a difference. If you were doing pure strength training then your muscles will have tightened. You need to stretch AFTER you lift weights. This isn't so much about being flexible as it is about lengthening your muscles which will "shorten" if you are only doing weights. You want to do any stretching after your workouts and it's for muscle maintenance and repair not preventing injury.

Try this. Wake up for your road work stand with your legs straight and bend down to touch your toes. Now go for your roadwork and when you get home try to touch them again. If you couldn't do it before you ran, you should be able to now unless you were really far from being able to but you will be closer now. if you could touch then you can probably get your palms flat now. It's really simple when dealing with your muscles and tendons. Think of it as a piece of metal. A piece will only bend so much before stressing and cracking. Apply heat (warm up your muscles and tendons) and the piece of metal is much more pliable and easier to work with.

I'll have to look into this, I personally don't believe in the whole lengthening the muscles stuff.

You either have flexability or you don't IMO.