Elite Physique
Dan Kennedy
Educated at the University of Western Ontario, Dan employs his degree in Kinesiology as the foundation of his personal training business Elite Physique. He’s also a National level bodybuilder and judge. Dan’s earned a reputation for his knowledge and his tell-it-like-it-is approach to performance enhancement!
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Stretching And Bodybuilding
Q: Dan, how important is stretching while trying to grow? I don’t see many guys stretching in the gym but the girls are always over on the stretching mats. I’m pretty cooked after my workout and I just don’t have the time. Do I need to stretch?
A: Let me sum up my reply in one word – yes! If I had to do one thing over during the last 27 years of working out would have been to put more emphasis on stretching. I can honestly say that my current knee problems are 100% related to lack of flexibility. I don’t listen to the pipe cleaner-legged experts when they claim that squatting is the cause. I know it’s flexibility related. When my flexibility goes so does my form and from that my knee problems arise. Poor range of motion not only in my hips but also in my chest and delts wreak havoc on my knees. Nowadays I feel a squat workout for days and it’s not a good pain. My flexibility is so bad that I have a hard time holding the bar when I squat – I just can’t get my arms back far enough. I am constantly searching YouTube for videos on stretching and training. Watch Ronnie’s incredible squat videos. Watch Dorian training Dugdale in “A Week in the Dungeon”. What do the Pros do? They all stretch before a leg workout. I’ve heard all the experts go on about how a stretched muscle is a weak muscle. Is that so? I don’t know and I don’t care. But what I do know is I would rather stretch prior to a workout and lose 5% strength than not stretch and be fucked for my current workout and possibly several more in the future. Finding stretching videos online is very easy. If you have a bad memory download them to your iPod/iPhone and go over them in the gym. Trust me on this one. Stretch before your workout. Get yourself limber and you’ll have better results in the growth department. Most of us veterans will remember John Parrillo. He’s the guy that revealed the importance of fascia stretching (isn’t this what Rambod preaches now?) I am a big believer in this technique and am currently employing it during my off-season. Do a web search for Parrillo Performance and check out his site. This guy really knows his stuff. If you’re struggling with the stretches get one of the matt queenies to give you a hand. You never know… you may find a new training partner for your bedroom aerobics!
If you want Dan Kennedy to answer one of your questions, send it to questions@muscle-insider.com or visit www.ElitePhysique.ca
PHOTO CREDIT: Martin Pillmajer
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