I hate stretching

The only time I stretch is immediately after a workout or after a warm-up before a race.

Occassionaly I might during the day if things are achey, but I do not have any real "routine" per se.  A good stretch always feels good to me.

I know flexibility is important, but I've yet to run into any sort of injury due to lack of a stretching routine myself.  I basically do it out of habit, but not religiously.

This is one of those topics that can get heated (based on other sites history) as to the benefits.  I'd say if you don't like it, maybe not do it??

You don't need to stretch to stay injury-free and perform your best.

I'm searching the forums (there's been a multitude of discussions on this) ... studies present conflicting evidence on stretching, but as far as I know, there isn't any solid evidence that you MUST stretch in order to prevent injury and enhance performance.

One area of general consensus, though, is not to stretch "cold"--(doesn't sound like you are, but the first respondent might be)--don't stretch before warming up your muscles a bit.

I personally don't stretch much either because I don't like it.  I do stretch my calves and hamstrings a little bit before / after a race, but that's about it.  Why do it if it's boring??

I definitely agree with one of the other posts though.. if you're going to stretch it should be when your muscles are already warmed up a bit.  Stretching cold muscles supposedly isn't good.

I'm not sure I agree that regular stretching helps people perform their best and prevent injury.  I've had coaches that were big on stretching and others that didn't really put much emphasis on it and my body, and performance, felt the same (actually I'm more flexible now than I was in college and I hardly ever stretch now.. go figure..)  If a muscle feels tight, after warming it up a bit, I think it's a good idea to stretch out the tightness but the benefits of regular stretching.... i dunno.. doesn't work for me

Many people would argue that you don't need to stretch to stay injury free. In fact some  studies show that too much stretching/flexibility can be detrimental for running. I stretch when my muscles are excessively sore cuz it feels good but i don't do anythin crazy, just hold the static stretch for a few seconds and that's it

I am dooming myself by saying this, but the only time I stretch is maybe for about a minute or two after a run, if that, and I've never had an injury of any sort in my life, absolutely nothing, and I've been active in some sort of sport or another for about the past 30 years....

some people probably need to stretch, others do not.

check my blog shortly for a report of a pulled muscle, no doubt... 

Hi Mike--if the need to stretch is related to your particular injury history (and yes, inflexible quads can aggravate patellar tendinitis), then your ortho and/or referred PT should be giving you specific stretching and/or (especially quad) strengthening exercises to do. A general stretching routine offered by someone on an open forum isn't going to do much for you in terms of prevention or performance.

Yeah, I'd say that is a stretch that definitely offers it all ...........

I hear the mixed review of stretching from studies.

I have very tight everything from my hips down. My tight calves...soleus/gastrock cause me running injuries so I stretch. I have found Yoga is the best. I have the Spinnervals Flexible Warrior 1 DVD and do the stretching/flexibility sequence. After doing it daily I wrote everything down, and just do it on my own..takes me 15 minutes and really makes my body feel better afterwards. Of all the stretching routines I've tried I enjoy this the most and like doing it...never did of anything else I tried.

Downward Dog..the first picture is a great stretch for my calves and I can tell in 2 months I have better flexibility as my heels are much closer to the ground...hamstrings are not as tight and I may be able to ride in a more aero position which will save me time. 

I'm thinking this thread needs more pictures of women in various yoga poses...  Oops, did I say that out loud?

I hate stretching too, but I have found yoga to be helpful (if you can call what I do "yoga".  I haven't done that much of it, but I can tell the little I have done has strengthened my core, and has helped my flexibility.

I find that if I do not do some basic stretching before a run that I'm very stiff for the first mile or so.  I also tend to have more muscle soreness after the run.  So good, bad, or indifferent it helps me.

I still hate doing it.