Flexibility and Strength

B

Boomdoggin

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I'd like to start building strength in my legs soon via a weight training routine, but I'm concerned with pushing my level of flexibility a lot further before I start. I've always had pretty tight hamstrings, and in general I have trouble doing a lot of kicks at eye level (ie, axe kicks, roundhouses, hook kicks). I'm aware that weight training is, obviously, training your muscles to contract and tighten, and when I used to lift I found that building my muscles and training them to be more flexible were conflicting interests. I just started working out again,and I had planned to spend a few months stretching myself out before seriously attempting to build strength.

Any thoughts? Does it make sense to hold off on weight training until I'm more flexible?

And also, anyone have any tips on good ways to stretch out? :) Thanks.
 
I don't think so. I disagree with your comment about being conflicting. Stretching is an important part of lifting because it increases your range of motion which is vital to lifting. Both should be done, and there is no reason to do one and not the other.
 
Using full range of motion will increase flexibility. Remember there's a point in being hyper-flexible that is negative. Being to flexible gets the joint used to going out of socket and this isn't necessarily a good thing...just figure out how flexible you need to be and stick with that.

As a martial artist, I understand your concern of wanting to be flexible but usually we want to be more flexible than we need. Check out some stuff from Tom Kurz.
 
Hey, I'll let you know right now, I am probobly the least flexible person you know - but it's NEVER been a problem. I'm strong, i'm fit (mostly), and I don't get injured easily. But again, I can't do simple things like touch my toes and crap like that.
 
Like evolution said, overstretching, or hyperextension, in a movement can lead to serious injury. In a weight training routine, you can adequately exercise your muscles with your current level of flexibility -- but flexibility becomes very desirable in other aspects of health and activity.

For one, better stretched muscles are more supple, better shaped, and move more quickly (which means greater power production in fast movements). It is also said to aid in post workout recovery, and allows you a better range of motions in your workouts. Like evo said, if you're a martial artist, it's essentially a requirement :)

It used to be said that stretching before an exercise prevents injuries, but recent research has shown that stretching before a workout does nothing to minimize injuries - but in fact can increase them due to the risk of hyperextension.
 
I'll keep the fear of hyperextention in mind, but like McCarley, I'm nowhere near flexible enough to worry about that yet. I would, however, like to become a lot more flexible than I am right now. Thanks all.
 
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