Does stretching AFTER working out help build muscles or just make them stronger?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark D
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Mark D

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It seems I can't find a straight answer on this one, but maybe there isn't.

Does stretching after working out (lifting weights and such) help build muscle or just make you stronger? I've heard that stretching your muscles after weight training will "rip" muscles so they come back BIGGER and stronger.

On the other hand, I've been told that stretching after working out only makes your muscles stronger...but not bigger. In fact, I've been told you won't even build hardly any noticeable muscle if you stretch afterword. I was told stretching after inhibits muscle GROWTH. So basically, I'm trying to decide whether I should continue to stretch after I workout...because I want bigger muscles and noticeable too.

So is there any truth to any of these statements? Or is it a mix? I know there is a debate about stretching BEFORE working out...but I'm not asking about that, just AFTER.
 
Stretching both before and after is important in working out, mainly after as well before, because before a workout, you're warming up and limbering up the tendons. Afterwards, you're helping hurry the lactic acid built up in your system out. If you get the lactic acid out, yoou won't be as sore. That's why there's such a thing as cool down laps and cool down sets.
 
I don't know about stronger or bigger, but I do know that stretching after working out is very important to relax your muscles and keep from straining or hurting yourself.
 
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