Heat...I've never understood this.

Am I right when I say that heat is meant to make tissue soft, flexible and pliable in order to avoid injury. And am I also right in saying that what causes growth is the breaking down of cells that (when repaired) become bigger, or multiply.

Now wouldn’t we be more susceptible to breaking down these tissues if they were less elastic (i.e. no warm-up).

I personally think that I get a better work-out when I don’t warm up, does this sound reasonable? Does anyone have any evidence that warm-ups actually help the tissue break and multiply. It just seems to me that it would do the opposite.

Any opinions or scientific explanations?

*By the way… I do fully believe in heat AFTER workouts.

Rap,

>Am I right when I say that heat is meant to make tissue soft, flexible and pliable in order to avoid injury. And am I also right in saying that what causes growth is the breaking down of cells that (when repaired) become bigger, or multiply.<

Sounds right.

>Now wouldn’t we be more susceptible to breaking down these tissues if they were less elastic (i.e. no warm-up). <

I believe everyone is different. I think most guys would be more susceptible to tearing or injuries without the tissues being more elastic. The goal is controlled damage.

But then, many guys have had success without using heat.

>I personally think that I get a better work-out when I don’t warm up, does this sound reasonable?<

Sure.

>Does anyone have any evidence that warm-ups actually help the tissue break and multiply. It just seems to me that it would do the opposite.<

I only have my own personal results. I always used a rice sock for warming before hanging and during the first half of my sets. I did recognize that it was much easier to stretch.

>*By the way… I do fully believe in heat AFTER workouts.<

I do not. I always wanted the tissues to return to normal temperatures while still under a load.

Bigger

Rap,

BTW, there are some really good threads on this, I believe in the hangers forum. The threads also contain links to some good research.

Bigger

I agree with Bib, but most important is what works for you.

Tapping into my base, I’d say warming up first would be the thing to do. I, personally, don’t because it’s a waste of time.