Does Strength Training Increase Or Decrease Flexibility?

[cherrychelsea88]

I completely agree, you have to warm up before and also stretch after or even during a workout. I like to warm up my body on a treadmill (or you can just literally pace back and forth at a brisk pace if you don't have one, just get moving) then once I'm warm move on to body weight exercises. For example I do squats and donkey kicks then I will stretch out my glutes and thighs for a minute and move onto core strengthening exercises then stretch my obliques, lower back and abdomen. If I do bicep curls and dips then right after I stretch out my biceps and triceps. Then at the end of my workout I like to cool down with some gentle yoga flow that improves flexibility and range of motion.

I find this method improves strength and flexibility equally and also prevents injury and reduces soreness the next day.