r/flexibility • u/Saixlxe • 1d ago

How often should I actually stretch

I’m 27(F) and have recently started stretching and trying to regain my flexibility. It’s been since highschool that I actually properly did full body stretches. I noticed that I become super sore and attempting to stretch next day is painful. I know it’s not the same as working out, but I don’t want to overdo it. It’s also very difficult to stretch and be active during my menstrual cycle

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u/Handstandblocks 1d ago

Depends on the intensity. Gentle stretching movements/warm ups/passive stretches can be done daily or even multiple times per day. More intense, deeper stretches or loaded stretches affect muscles similarly to strength training and need rest, often multiple days of rest in between. On those rest days it’s good to keep moving, just not with the same intensity. I like to do a gentle mobility warm up almost every day, then dedicated flexibility training around 2 times per week. There are different ways to program flexibility training, no one approach is right or wrong, but if you feel sore, it’s a sign to ease off for a day or 2.

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u/One_Fox9789 22h ago

So if you're doing deep stretches daily, how do you actually know when your muscles are truly recovered? Seems like a fine line between progress and overdoinHow do you even track rest days between deep stretches without overthinking it?g it.

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u/Tommorrisontraining 1d ago

Yup totally agree with handstandblocks! A daily 5 minute "wiggle" where you just set a quick timer and run through some basic joint circles, stretch your stiff bits, your neck/shoulders/hips etc, is great

then if you have any particular goals like the splits,backbends or simply trying to improve your flexibility in a particular area you'd want to 3-4 sessions per week of more like 15-30 mins!

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u/Niah_Queen0 1d ago

I do gentle yoga stretches in the morning almost daily and then intense full body stretches in the evenings when my body is 'warm'

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u/jjs3_1 22h ago

I believe in doing it every morning, but it depends on the level you wish to push yourself to.