Concept2 Forum

I've read elsewhere that you are actually stretching while you are rowing, so you don't need to stretch after you row. I'm not sure I buy this.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

I'd be interested in hearing others' thoughts, as I'm an agnostic on stretching. For the record, I don't stretch after rowing. Too sweaty! After my shower: Sometimes. Before rowing: Toe touches and arm swings, if I'm feeling dutiful.

I've read elsewhere that you are actually stretching while you are rowing, so you don't need to stretch after you row

In the short term, you might gain some flexibility as you progressively try to lengthen your stroke. Over the long term, you are doing hard work that can leave you tighter (particularly in the lower back, hamstrings, IT band, and hip flexors). It has been my experience that many injuries have been caused specifically by athletes not stretching/strengthening muscles, thus allowing imbalances to occur.

Stretching doesn't take long and should be done after the workout. About 5-7' a day will do you fine (can even switch up stretches each day).

I remember a study of three groups; those who stretched all the time, those who stretched some of the time, and those who never stretched. The group that stretched some of the time had the most injuries. The other two were tied. So this would illustrate that a slow warm-up and slow cool down should suffice.

Cheers, Paul Salata

paul s wrote:I remember a study of three groups; those who stretched all the time, those who stretched some of the time, and those who never stretched. The group that stretched some of the time had the most injuries. The other two were tied. So this would illustrate that a slow warm-up and slow cool down should suffice.

I'd be interested in seeing the study. I know there is evidence that stretching before may not be a good idea, but not sure this is true afterwards (and doubts were raised over the study I know of on the former - but I do not propose to defend those either way!)

- Iain