For the last few months of heavy lifting, I've been having a constantly sore lower back. I thought I had injured myself by going to heavy or incorrect form. It got to the point were any type of movement which required me to slightly bend over hurt like hell.

Well it turns out, all it was was that the muscles in back had gotten so tight, it wasn't an injury at all. This last week, I've been stretching lower back and hams before every work and I'm almost 100% better after only one week of stretching again....

From here on in, I'll never underestimate the importance of stretching again....just thought I'd share that...

Totally agree dude. I couldn't figure out why my knees started hurting. Turns out I was doing no hamstring work and the muscles on the front of my leg (quads) were pulling the knee cap off-center.

I've also experienced what you describe. Doing squats, if I stretch my lower back in between sets, it feels so much better.

Great post. Shows the importance of stretching and the reduction of injury.

Hmmm, I'll have to try stretching out my shoulders, they've been bothering me for a few weeks, sore, but not in the "I did some serious military presses yesterday" kind of way. They hurt when I do bench presses

But you're not suppose to stretch before you workout though right? Only during and after.

Right. I see tons of people stretch before. And you wonder are they really warmed up? Stretching a cold muscle is no good.

Stretch during and after for the best results.

Old skool rules still apply in that stretching cold muscles is no good.

Why is that. I stretch before mostly and its made me feel much better.