The IRON APE: 10 Reasons Why You Should Not Stretch

* Stretching is exercise for the muscles like sea water is hydration for the body. When you're desperate for relief, it feels so right but only makes things worse
.* All athletes, especially runners, are so passionate about stretching. They defend it like their political association, religion, or family. I think many of them may have pictures of their kids in their wallets doing all types of cool stretches that they show their coworkers every day at the water cooler.
*Runners will follow any trend they think will make them run faster. Whether it's a new supplement, pair of socks, pair or shoes, custom orthotics, or stretching. They're the first in line for the Kool-Aid.
*Stretching is a conditioned behavior, not one we are innately born with. I see my kids run, jump, climb, throw things, and carry objects of all sizes. They move well, and efficiently. I've never seen them stretch. Their developing nervous systems know better.
*The day I see my dog holding a stretch is the day I'll start stretching too.
*Flexibility is a reflection of overall health and fitness. Stretching does absolutely nothing for health or fitness. It's not exercise. It's not a warm-up or a cool-down. And it definitely doesn't substitute for restful sleep or a wholesome diet
.*Yoga is not stretching. Stretching is not yoga. Enough of that claim.
*Make sure you stretch if you want to weaken muscles, promote injuries, decrease performance, delay tissue healing, and have absolutely way too much free time.
*Stretching reduces injuries and improves endurance performance just like certain shoes will make you run or jump faster. Neither claim is true.
*I enjoy watching runners stretch. They must stretch because they think they will run faster. I bet they believe in Sasquatch too.