It has come to my attention that I know fuck all about stretching, I do it when I remember to, but even though I've been lifting for a few months now, I still can't be sure I know what I'm doing and am probably not effectively stretching to prepare and recover from going to the gym. Thus I ask...

What are stretching exercises you would recommend everyone do daily? Not just for bodybuilding, but to have better posture and energy and be more relaxed/confident and less tense "un-blocked" in general. Simple yoga positions I can do at home for the same purpose also welcomed.

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What I can tell you about stretching is never to do it before or during a workout. It lengthens the muscles meaning they cant contract as well. If you are to stretch make sure it is dynamic stretching instead of the usual static stretching, not holding the stretch for more than half a second at a time. And if you are warming up properly and doing a full range of motion and controling the negative portion of the rep you will be good to go.
If you do stretch, do it at the end of a workout to stretch the fascia of the muscle and promote growth.
As for posture stuff im not too sure on any stretches for that

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What warm ups should one do before lifting?

Agree with dynamic stretching. Only really do it before training legs. Look up dorian yates's stretching.

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I do several sets the first exercise of my workout with very light weight doing the reps at various speeds until I feel ready. But this applies to me doing something like a chest only or back only workout, if someone were to do multiple different bodyparts they would need to do warm up sets prior to working sets for each body part.

A trick to know if you havent warmed up enough is if your joints click and make that knuckle cracking sound.

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That happens to me all the time when I do hamstring exercises. Can't remember what it's called, but I do it on the machine where you lie face down and lift your legs.

Hi Wolf,
We must stretch before regular exercises as stretching improves flexibility and circulation. Flexibility boost overall energy and improves athletic performance. Stretching relieves stress, speeds recovery after exercise and prevent from health injuries. Stretching relieves overall bodily aches and lower back pains.
http://sanantoniofitbody.com/san_antonio_gym.html

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does a lion stretch before it chases down a gazelle? i don't mean there's no benefits in stretching but im just sayin..

I don't think I've ever stretched before a weights session. Probably should, but I don't really see the point. You're looking to damage the muscle tissue so they grow back bigger. So what's the point in stretching first?

For cardio, on the other hand, there is a point, as you don't want to pull a muscle. But I think you're fairly unlikely to pull a muscle whilst lifting, unless you're doing something seriously wrong.

For stretching there are lot of exercises. Yoga is also a good exercise for stretching. It is good for health and fitness. Anyway nice topic and all posts are wonderful and very informative.

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Nice Zombieland reference!

As for stretching, personally I find it much more effective to stretch after I'm already a bit warmed up or at the end of my workout. I don't like to stretch prior to running because it makes the run feel off somehow. I do recommend you look up dynamic stretching though as I remember reading that dynamic stretching prior to lifting, and static stretching afterwards was the recommended strategy.