Extender vs. manual stretch

Why do manual stretches seem to result in faster and more time efficient gains than the use of an extender?

Do they?

Manual stretches typically use more force during that shorter time than most extenders which use less force over more time. Is one better than the other? If they are both being performed efficiently, I don’t think there is an advantage to one over the other.

I have always thought that there is a “magic” amount of force that needs to be applied and that if you apply any less you wont gain well and if you apply too much more you wont gain as well and will injure yourself. Of course, to make it more interesting, this number is different for everyone.

Most extenders keep you well under the injury threshold, but I imagine it is easier to find that “magic” amount of force and avoid injury with the extra feedback you get from a hands on approach. Then again, it is very possible to go too hard with manual stretches too. Also there is the technology factor of properly using an extender, I know it’s not rocket science but I imagine there are a lot of people wearing them incorrectly as far as tension and such, and therefore wearing them inefficiently.

I don’t think there is really enough facts out there to say one works so much better than another. Too many variables. I would say most devices and techniques have the ability to provide good results if you can find that sweet spot.

That’s the tough part.

:)

I see, I ask because I haven’t had much success with manual stretching, so I bought an extender and then was dissapointed to learn that if I wanted decent gains I was going to have to wear the thing 4 hours a day. That’s just not an option for me. I am going to get back on my manual stretching routine but this time throw in some new exercise like the btc stretch, some rotary stretches, a/v stretches, et al.

Cheers on your gains cant look. Have you had similar success in the girth department?

Thanks. :)

I haven’t really tried for girth in the past but I’ve gained about 1/4” inch along the way, which was a welcome addition.

I’ve been doing very minimal PE for the last 6 months actually. Just getting back into it and haven’t decided what direction I want to go.

From day one I kind of used used my extender in place of manual stretches (lazy!). That is to say I used it at tensions slightly higher than a typical extender is used (closer to the force of manual stretches) and for shorter times like manual sessions. So I wore it for closer to 1 hour a day rather than 4 or 8 or some ridiculous number. This worked well for me from right from the start. I began gaining so I didn’t change it up, I didn’t add more tension or more time because that was all my schedule would really allow.

I think a lot of guys dive in too fast and over condition themselves and unwillingly make consistent growth much more challenging.

Don’t know if that helps.