Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns
Are warmups and stretching really necessary?
Pre-workout static stretches can actually be un-
desirable, believe it or not. Especially for strength
work and sprint training, “passive muscle stretch-
ing” is found to “negatively impact the performance
of high-power short-term exercise.” Much of our
strength derives from tension, from that snap in
the hips. If you’re spending ten minutes doing
static stretches that leave your limbs flaccid, you’re
setting yourself up for failure or a disappointing
sprint. Save your static stretches for a few minutes
post-workout, or even on off days. Touch your toes
when you get up in the morning, not when you’re
about to run hills.
Dynamic stretches—leg swings, shoulder dis-
locates, and any other joint mobility work—are
the way to go. They’ll get your muscles prepped
for the workout, and you’ll help prime your cen-
tral nervous system for the work that’s about to
come. And there are always the old standards, the
Grok Hang and the Grok Squat (see The Primal
Blueprint, page 186)—safe, functional, full-body
stretches that help you transition from active to in-
active and vice versa without weakening muscles
or risking overstretching injuries.The 3 foundational supplements everyone should be taking: Primal Flora, Vital Omegas,
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