Do You Really Need to Stretch Before Lifting?

[FitRay$47]

I always hear mixed takes on this some people say it’s a waste of time, others say it’s a must. What’s been your experience? Do you stretch before hitting the weights, or just warm up and go?

[Vegan1]

Static stretching before lifting never did much for me. I just warm up with lighter sets and feel ready.

[Nevyy88]

Dynamic warmups >>> static stretches. Do some band pull-apart, bodyweight squats, hip openers and you’re good.

[FitRay$47]

Yeah that’s kind of where I’m at now. I feel looser after moving around, not just holding a stretch.

[Maxr4677]

I used to stretch heavy before squats and it made me weaker. Now I just do hip mobility drills and warm-up sets.

[Matt-w45]

I save stretching for after training. Pre-lift I stick to warmup sets and mobility flows.

[Matthew Allen]

If I’m benching, I’ll do some banded shoulder work. If I’m squatting, hip circles. Tailor it to the lift.

[FitRay$47]

Makes sense. I’ve been doing the same thing specifically to what I’m training that day.

[Dona-h90]

Static stretching before lifting is old school. New studies show it can lower strength temporarily.

[Paulk23]

Honestly, I just walk on the treadmill for 5 mins then warm up with lighter sets. Never had issues.