Static and Dynamic Stretching: What’s the Difference?
Are you a serious athlete or a casual fitness enthusiast? No matter where in the spectrum you land, it's important that you begin every workout, exercise, and activity with a good stretch. This not only helps prepare your body for whatever you're about to do, but it also helps prevent injuries. It keeps your body loose, alert, and ready for action.
Today, we're going to explore two types of stretching—static and dynamic. Each one has its purpose and benefit.
Here's what you need to know:
What is Static Stretching?
Static stretching is a type of flexibility training in which you hold a specific muscle in a lengthened position, typically to the point of tension, and stay there for a period of time. The goal is to improve your overall flexibility.
Benefits of Static Stretching
Many studies suggest that static stretching improves flexibility. Still, a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that static stretching may decrease muscle strength, leading to injury.
On the flip side, some research suggests that static stretching before exercise can decrease your risk of injury, as well as teach your body to maintain a greater range of motion.
What is Dynamic Stretching?
Unlike static stretching, dynamic stretching is a variety of movement exercises that help you warm up and increase your range of motion instead of resting muscle fibres. The best way to think of dynamic stretching is a controlled, slow-motion, "dynamic" version of a regular movement or exercise.
This helps loosen up your muscles, prepares you for a workout, improves your range of motion and flexibility, and can even improve your athletic performance.
Benefits of Dynamic Stretching
If you're planning to participate in a sport or activity that involves lots of movement, it's a good idea to incorporate dynamic stretching into your warm-up routine. Dynamic stretching increases your range of motion and prepares your body to move quickly and efficiently.
For example, if you plan to play a game of tennis, dynamic stretching is an excellent way to prepare the muscles in your legs and arms for the activity.
While static stretching is often difficult to achieve, dynamic stretching is easier to learn and will help prepare you for any activity you choose.
The Importance of Stretching
As a rule of thumb, there is a time and a place for both types of stretching.
Static stretching is ideal for situations where you need to maximise your flexibility or loosen up tight muscles. For example, if you're a serious lifter who's been lifting for a while and have noticed that you have some tightness in specific muscles, a few days of static stretching can help loosen up those muscles and get them ready for movement.
Dynamic stretching is ideal for sports, workouts, and before going for a jog or playing a game of tennis. It's also great for when you need to open up your range of motion and prepare your body to move.
Conclusion
So, which types of stretching should you be doing? Regardless of whether you're a casual gym-goer or a serious athlete, it's a good idea to incorporate both static and dynamic stretching into your routine.
Static stretches can be performed before workouts or exercise and offer a great way to loosen up your muscles and improve your overall flexibility. Dynamic stretches can be incorporated into your warm-up routine and easily learned. These stretches teach your body to maintain a greater range of motion and loosen up your muscles.
No matter what your fitness goals are, it's important to get your body warmed up and ready for an awesome workout. Getting started with these types of stretches is a great way to jumpstart your fitness plan.
Stretch Studios is Australia’s first one-on-one assisted stretching service! You can enjoy your workout and push yourself to do bigger and better things through the power of stretching. Our goal is to help people move better and improve their mobility. Reach your fitness goals with our help. Contact us today to learn more or book a stretch online now!