i hate doing stretching at the end of gym classes.

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If you go to them often do you really need to do them? I am not convinced.

I also would rather not bother and I really can't believe I need to stretch my upper body EXCEPT maybe triceps if I've done a lot of overhead weights. But having said that I do have a bit of hamstring pain today, having half-arsed those stretches yesterday. Sometimes I get away with it but every so often, not doing a proper stretch seems to have minor consequences.

Another thought - the difference in muscle looseness is so noticeable between exercise first thing in morning and at end of day. So I don't think it's about exercising often but at what time, maybe.

For the love of God, stretch! From someone who's spent the last 2 months on the injury bench.

I love the stretching as I know the hard bit is over

Stretching is the best bit - most classes rush through it and don't do it properly imo.

Yes it is important.all the time you manage to carry on injury free you think you can get away with it but it will catch up with you and you'll end up either but of you so stiff you cant do the classes at all.

If I don't screech as I have to whizz off at the end I never notice. Only if they change the routine at pump.

Is there any evidence that stretching actually makes a difference?

Lol stretch. Not screech

It's not the immediate effects that matter the most but the long term effects of contracting your muscles trough exercise and never counteracting that by stretching - can lead to injuries over the long term.

If you're lifting heavy enough in pump, stretching properly will make a difference to the delayedonset muscle soreness you feel next day too. If you don't feel it you need to increase!

Although what they do at the end of pump isn't proper

Can't stand stretching at the end of Zumba. Feels like the dullest five minutes ever.

proper stretching so you may be right that there's no real difference whether you do it or not. If you want to continue working out (or walking!) into your later years it us important to do it properly.

I love the stretching part, and at 55 I know I need to do it.

I love stretch class - a whole hour of stretching. Very relaxing.

Do not like the quick stretch at end of spin/pump, I try to do a bit more, especially legs, when sat in the spa pool afterwards.

It is dull isn't it. I just want to say see ya. And hoof out

Let's all read this

www.bbc.com/future/story/20120724-you-must-stretch-before-exercise

When I go running I never warm up nor cool down. I hate doing it at bootcamp.

The advice for dancers is to stretch during class once they are warmed up, and not at the beginning or the end. Don't know if this would apply to gymnastics/other activities as well.