Everyone gave very accurate advice. I would like to summarize few things here since its asked many time and I’ll also prove some reasons for it.
Please remember that this is a best of practice and not end all solution. I would also like to qualify that this is more for extender type of system (doesn’t matter what brand you have). It could apply to hangers, but I believe they follow more intense procedure? Something that I can’t possibly do due to my daily schedule and also pain limitation.
So here it is,
1) do a max stretching for short period of time - say 5, 10 or 20 minutes follow by break for 1 or 2 hour session. When I mean max - I mean max - we’re talking about 5 - 10 plus lb of pressure/traction (much more for hangers). It should feel like its ripping.
- Reason: You are going for micro tear on your structure.
- Best practice1: When you are doing this, you should feel your ligament. It should be very tight.
- Best practice2: This should be first stretching session of your day.
- Best practice3: Only should be done every 72 hours or no more than every other day. You need to heal and 72 hours seems to be the norm for repair.
3) Light stretching - you could use either extender or ADS.
- Reason: Extended state repair - you are trying to force your body to repair the microtear in certain state (in our case extended).
- Best practice: light stretching means light. About 1/2” more than your normal length. More than that - you are still trying to micro-tear. Not advisable. This also increase your device wearing time. One of the common mistake most newbies make - they think hard stretching is the way to go, its not. Let your body do its thing.
- Best practice 2: Do not wear extender under clothing - I believe extenders are too ridgid and it does not allow movement or side play. Use free movement ADS system.
- Best practice 3: Do this for entire duration - during 72 hours repair period - as much as you can.
4) Take a break - entire day. This has no bearing on PE, but you need to walk away for a day. If not, you’ll get sick of PE if you over do it. Make sure you take a break after the 72 hour period.
5) Stretching - you need to do manual stretching. While these devices are nice and keep your hands free - you can’t stretch in certain direction or angle.
- Reason: Variation and stretching to different angle.
- Best practice: do it for about 5 minutes, as many times as you can during the day - pull to different angles.
- Best practice2: This could replace device wearing session - it will give you different feeling and also provide variation.
6) Base stretching - streching base skin.
- Reason: you can’t stretch your ligs if your skin doesn’t allow it.
- Best practice: Grab near the base and pull - it should feel like your skin is ripping, but its only way. Several times a day. You could so use extender for this- grab it near the base (up the shaft).
7) change your routine.
- Reason: your body will become used to your routine. You need to shock your system with different excersize.
- Best practice: Change routine every 1-2 months.
- Best Practice: Use different stretching technique, jelq, device.
- Best practice: If you feel you are plateuing - change your routine. Your body is telling you its already use to what your are doing.
Thats all I could think of for now. Everyone chip in…