I think you’re absolutely right. Especially given how strong the placebo effect is, it’s worth it if you feel like it’s helping.
I don’t stretch to prevent soreness, but to keep the range of motion that I currently have. After a long ride/run I stretch, never before. When I don’t stretch, I do tend to get running niggles or back spasms from super tight calves, or tend to get some trigger points in my calves which manifest in to pains elsewhere. However the way to get rid of these is not just stretching, but massage/stretching. Muscle tightness in one spot, tends to create a pain in another spot that might be a weaker link. Pain is so subjective, there’s no way to properly study it, and it isn’t a real injury, but it makes me feel better and keeps me more consistent in my training.
Well, yes, but I also have 3 newer bikes in my garage - 5 total. :-)
Edit: Oops, misread that as, “Are YOU still riding the same bikes from 25 years ago?”
I listened on the background but there is no new information really. Dynamic warmup before static stretching after if you want/need to. When I was running I did a proper warmup only before a track session. For cycling or strength training warmup is the same exercise just lower intensity.
Since I started doing strength training I don’t do that much static stretching either. I just don’t feel like it helps anything (and I am even more sceptical to foam rolling). However, I’ll do some posture exercises for neck, upper and lower back.
I find it difficult to take advice from a person that hasn’t figure out how to wear a hat yet.
Meh,
If you watch any of his videos, you may find he is actually a well researched and even balanced presenter. I really like his take on the various topics he has covered and think he does a great job of presenting them in a wide scope and then boiling them down to reasonable takeaways on conclusion.
Sarcastic Dylan.
I agree. The only time I really left shaking my head is his race day pedal and shoe choice. Running egg beaters and road shoes with an adapter to save weight. Science? Thankfully TR, specifically Jonathon’s brother (I think) debunked that a lighter shoe doesn’t matter. Don’t get me started on weight wienies…
I find it difficult to take snide remarks seriously from someone who doesn’t understand what past and present tense is…
Easy now…
That could be a simple typo if nothing else.
Possibly, but his attitude is no accident
I think this is pretty interesting, and I totally agree at least for me, that stretching BEFORE a workout has netted zero benefit and often makes me feel sluggish.
Stretching afterwards however, I feel like has just as much to do with your lifestyle off the bike as it does on it. I think if you don’t have to spend a lot of time sitting on your butt for work, then perhaps things like shortening hip flexors and tight hamstrings don’t become as much of a problem as it does for those of us who do. To each their own, but I know if I didn’t have the “maintenance routine” i have now I wouldn’t be able to ride.
Hearing anyone under the age of 35 talk how they’ve “never needed it” is downright adorable. Lets talk again in 10 years and see what your thoughts are. I’m about to turn 39, this has been a very educational decade of my life to say the least
Agreed. He often seems balanced and I like that hes happy to admit that the research contradicted what he expected to find
Here’s Peter Sagan stretching his leg:
Here’s Peter Sagan stretching his 3rd consecutive WC jersey:
I’m guessing a lot of other rider’s must stretch a lot more than Peter.
Bam lol
Cant argue with sagans results lol
You all watched the video right? I mean you didn’t just read the title and then post about xyz rider stretching?
Peter sagan doesn’t look like he’s stretching as part of Pre or post workout routine to aid recovery (which is what the video covers) it looks like he’s stretching as part of a strength and conditioning routine.
Never beforehand. I always stretch quads and hip flexors/IT band afterwards. If I don’t, my hips get tight and I get pronounced back pain. So, I’ll stretch… but it’s not to aid recovery or prevent soreness from workouts. It’s to maintain mobility and prevent related pain.
I’ve read studies which have claimed that yes, stretching does indeed make runners slower, but not cyclists. Impact vs non-impact.
I’ve also read that stretching is merely a mental game. That’s to say we can all move all of our limbs to their maximum range of motion (which basically cannot be increased via stretching), but what we are actually “stretching” is our mental (dis)comfort with that perceived increase of range. In other words, awake I’m stiff as a board; knock me out and I’ll bend like a pretzel.
Exactly, I always read/heard that stretching can dull the stretch reflex if performed before exercise. So a sport like running where your Achilles and other parts of your leg are acting like a spring board and propel you forward. But this reaction isn’t present (or at least not as strong) in cycling.
I have been including daily stretching for the first time on my training routine for three months, based on recommendation of my physiotherapist (marginal gains she said). 25 minutes every morning. Did not see any improvement (never had any pain however on the bike however). But yes, I did find that my muscles were less “explosive”. Hard to see through power numbers, more like a feeling.
Much of what Dylan talks about has been known for a long time; but perhaps not with the backing of the scientific studies he references.
Static stretching has been equated to trying to break a piece of frozen meat. While he discusses how it decreases performance, what has most been talked about is the potential pain it can trigger.
Dynamic stretching doesn’t work either. Pretty similar reason - the muscles aren’t warmed and flexible for it.
However, you’ll note that he has limited to no quality information regarding stretching after workouts (or even during) when the muscles are warm. It greatly improves flexibility. It’s not just good for TT’ng as he talks about, it’s good for riding aero in general and not having to round your back (i.e. in pain). Kate Courtney talked to a group of us about the importance to her success of mobility and flexibility training.