Personally, when weight training, I advocate related static stretching immediately following an exercise (i.e. during rest between sets), such as a Latissimus Dorsi stretch following lat pulldowns. If performed correctly, the exercise undertaken should allow for near full stretch and contraction of the muscle/s. Following warm-up sets and working sets, your muscles are at their hottest and, therefore, can be elongated (stretched) to a greater degree.
Stretching between and after sets of an exercise should prove advantages to establish a sensible rest period (not too long & not too short) and, more importantly, help avoid stiffness and re-establish a normal (or greater) range-of-movement. With this in mind, they should also be included as part of your eventual cool-down.
This article is an extract from the best-selling Gym Professor book Gym Workouts - Maps to Success.
All the best,
Gym Prof.
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