Originally Posted by The Alternative Road

I just started a dynamic stretching routine. Does anyone have any experience with dynamic stretching? Your thoughts, suggestions for stretches, experiences, etc. would be most appreciated.

Originally Posted by BODYREFLEXION

Dynamic stretching involves moving parts of your body gradually increasing reach and/or speed of movement...it is not 'ballistic' stretching. Dynamic flexibility depends on the ability to combine relaxing of the extended muscles with contraction of the moving muscles. Start movements slowly, gradually increasing the range and speed of movements...do not 'throw' your limbs, rather 'lead' or 'lift' them, controlling the movement along its entire range. Dynamic stretches should be used in your early morning stretch and as part of a general warm-up in the workout area for most sports and martial arts. In fact, I originally learned this in 1987 when I was heavy into the martial arts and read Thomas Kurz's book "Stretching Scientifically"...some of you may recall seeing the cover of the book showing an athlete suspended in a split with only his feet making contact with the 2 chairs on each side of him (before Claude Van Damme made it popular). The only stretching I did before class was dynamic stretching...particularly leg raises in a standing position that mirrored the front, side, and roundhouse kicks...not throwing kicks, just lifting them in a controlled movement and increasing the range and speed of the dynamic stretch until everything was fluid and warmed-up.