Q: My trainer takes 15 minutes at the end of the session to do stretching. I feel this takes too much time out of my workout. Is this really necessary?

A: I always notice trainers having their clients stretch at the last quarter of their session. I personally do not do this with my clients. I cringe when I see trainers actually stretch the clients out as well. Only the client knows how far to go and it is such an easy way to injure the client.

Stretching is important because it lessens chance of injury and also helps alleviate some of the muscle soreness that develops the next day. I will share with you a way that has always worked for me and so far has never hurt any of my clients in the whole 15 years I have been training (knock on wood).

I have the client stretch the muscles they are going to work out that day at the beginning of the workout. This takes about 1-2 minutes. Then when we break between a set, I have them stretch the muscle they are exercising again. At the end of the workout, I have them repeat the stretches from the beginning of the workout. This takes another 1-2 minutes. Total stretching time is 2-4 minutes out of the workout. Stretching in between sets doesn't take up any extra time since you would be just standing there anyways resting.