By now, we all know that that stretching is an essential part of our fitness regimen. But one thing that's not clear is whether to stretch before or after your workout. Many people disagree about when it's best to stretch, so check out the info below that will help you make up your mind.

There is a common belief that stretching before exercise helps reduce the risk of injury, but this statement has never been proven to be true. In general, it's believed that it's best to perform dynamic stretching, such as high kicks and arm circles, before your workout. Then post-workout, you should work into some static stretching—forward bends, hamstring stretches, quad openers, and the like—should be performed after your workout for best results. Remember to hold static stretches for 30 seconds, and don't hold your breath while you stretch. Instead, breathe deeply and feed your muscles with oxygen.