When should I stretch before the warm up walk or after? I have tried to keep up the stretching after my cool down walk once I get home.

[Gettingfit25]

I have completed my first run of week 2 and feel pretty good about myself. Although I definitely felt the extra 30 seconds though and I'm happy I managed to walk off my stitch a few times during the exercise.

[Scarlett_K Graduate]

I only stretch after my runs. There's lots of conflicting evidence about whether stretching before is helpful or harmful, also conflicting evidence about stretching after. Personally I find if I don't stretch after (just 15 secs on each stretch I do) then I do get tender muscles. This was particularly noticeable when I neglected to do my 'glute' stretches one day and had a sore bum for a couple of days after!

Find what works for you, just try not to do yourself a mischief in the process

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

These stretches are a good basic starting point nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/... I only stretch after a run apart from my tight right achilles tendon which I stretch gently before a run. If you have any asymmetries, then I have been advised that stretching before a run is a good idea. Stretching before exercise needs to be undertaken very gently as your muscles are cold.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I don't stretch at all as part of my run session unless I have missed the walks at either end.... which I don't. Admittedly I am no athlete and I am not pushing myself to the max on my runs.

I do 5 minutes yoga when I get up every morning which involves stretching the bits that can get tight from running. I try to fit in more yoga sessions but that 5 minutes every morning seems a fixture.

[misswobble Graduate]

I do them afterwards. I do the warm up and cool down walks religiously. I like to do a bit of yoga after a run as well. Did some last night too. The stretches on the NHS Livewell site, with good old Laura, are easy to do and won't take long

[Windswept1 Graduate]

I do the walks and sometimes stretch afterwards depending on how the muscles feel and also do some yoga every morning. When I go to jog Scotland once a week though our 'leader' Kirsty Wade is very strict about cool down stretches and as a former Olympic runner she should know. But it is essential to do them correctly as otherwise you can do damage.

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A warm-up walk followed by stretches after the run. The post-run stretches are THE most important part.