{"id":42989,"date":"2015-08-28T07:15:34","date_gmt":"2015-08-28T11:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=42989"},"modified":"2016-07-14T16:02:02","modified_gmt":"2016-07-14T20:02:02","slug":"face-off-foam-rolling-stretching-workout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/fitness\/face-off-foam-rolling-stretching-workout\/","title":{"rendered":"DailyBurn Face-Off: Foam Rolling vs. Stretching"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DailyBurn
Photos: Pond5<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You know you\u2019re supposed to be foam rolling<\/a> and<\/em> stretching your muscles<\/a>, to keep your body strong and healthy. But what if you can barely squeeze in your workouts in the first place \u2014\u00a0let alone 10 extra minutes at the beginning and end of each session?<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Are You Foam Rolling All Wrong?<\/a><\/p>\n

Before you give up on your recovery routine entirely, we\u2019re about to make it easier for you to manage. While both foam rolling and stretching have their merits, if you\u2019ve only got time for one, you should grab your trusty foam roller<\/a>, says DailyBurn Fitness\/Nutrition Coach Sarah Snyder. \u201cFoam rolling gives you all the same benefits of stretching as, well as added benefits,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why foam rolling comes out on top and how to do it right.<\/p>\n

Foam Rolling vs. Stretching: Before and After Your Workouts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No matter how eager you are to start (or\u2026finish) your workout, it\u2019s important to resist the urge to jump straight in without warming up<\/a> your muscles, Snyder notes. But, we\u2019re officially giving you permission to scrap the minute-long hamstring holds you\u2019ve been doing pre-run.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> The 5 Keys to a Perfect Warm-Up<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re stretching a cold muscle, your body goes into defensive mode, and what happens is your workout performance is hindered,\u201d Snyder says. Static stretches can essentially \u201cfreeze up\u201d your muscles, preventing you from getting a full range of motion<\/a> when you\u2019re on the move, and potentially leading to injury.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why foam rolling before a workout can be a better use of your time. \u201cThe techniques you have to use for foam rolling help engage your muscles, so you\u2019re already doing a little bit of exercising when you\u2019re warming up with foam rolling,\u201d Snyder says. Bonus points if you can add some dynamic <\/em>movements to your warm-up as well.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> 5 Mobility Training Tips from Kelly Starrett<\/a><\/p>\n

After a workout, it may be tempting to collapse into a sweaty heap<\/a>. But your body can reap real benefits from taking a few minutes to relieve the tension built up in your muscles. And while static stretches post-workout may help lengthen muscle and improve flexibility<\/a>, foam rolling does all this and more by also targeting and relieving tension in the myofascial layer of your body. \u201cStretching doesn\u2019t get the myofascial layer, the connective tissue that is protecting all of your muscles,\u201d Snyder says. \u201cWith foam rolling, you\u2019re able to break up some of the tension there that has built up.\u201d<\/p>\n