How Long Should I Hold my Stretch for?

How Long Should I Hold my Stretch for?

Increasing flexibility through stretching is one of the basic tenets of physical fitness. It is common to stretch before and after exercise in order to reduce injury and increase performance, yet there seems to be a grey area in how long to hold a stretch for. A basic static stretch – holding the pose for an extended period – should last about 30-60 seconds. Anything less than 20 seconds won’t make a significant difference in lengthening muscle fibers and tissue. Unfortunately, even those who stretch do not always stretch properly and hence do not reap some or all of these benefits that come with stretching. So if you have any questions or concerns, talk to a personal trainer or email us.