I warm up, I have never stretched and i am still very flexible at my size, and quite quick. I think it is because I keep doing the same things i have always done when younger and smaller, like rope climbing, chin ups, dips CrossFit type things at times if i feel like it. Messing with horses is a big one to keep one limber, not a Sunday ride, but Real riding and working with them and quick sprints and all that jazz.
Pushing the stubborn young ones around, they try and take charge and when breaking them it gets fun. Never a hit or yell scenario, more like long tug of wars and consistent pressure. I train with trust all my animals, not beatdowns etc....So its a hard physical work when you are 265-280 lbs....lol.
I will be getting much more into it again this summer, last summer was busy and moved new job etc. But will be doing all that again. If you stop using it you lose it, i am certain it will happen, but not going down easy. Im still a spring chicken in my head.
I do not believe aggressive stretching is any good, i am sure you don't do that stuff. Its ok to minor stretch but not beyond what you feel comfortable with.
Lots of folks debate it, but it has served me well and a few good trainers have advised me the same.
Although i was advised to not flat bench as well, i cannot go without it, and deads. Squats are not as important, i can go heavy on these and 5 plates/ side for many reps 10 + is my norm, and I have a lot more in me, but i just don't get as excited anymore with squats.
Not boasting, i am not good at much else in life other than my career....I'm a shit hockey player, shit basketball player, and probably shitty in bed, not sure why ol lady sticks around. So i get fired up writing or talking about lifting.
But i can lift shit and it gets me excited, and i feel accomplished in my head and can sit and relax and watch tv and not feel like a lazy bum after i lift.
Cutting wood, moving heavy things, Loading unloading and throwing square hay bales around etc etc. Writing about it gets me anxious. I am like a fighter going in the ring, without the antics and jumping around, more like 25 minutes before they call his name to come out. In my head and do the lift and let it go and not stand like "That Guy" for ten minutes pacing before they do a plate a side and then stare anyone in his view down...lol
Then i sit on the end of the bench, in 20 seconds or so, i am back in that zone, things pump, i can only see the back of my hands and the steel bar. There is nothing else around in my mind. I squeeze the steel and try and imprint my fingerprints into the bar, i push my feet and lock my core and try to get my shoes to enter the concrete in the floor. Then big push, and i am in heaven.
You know that feeling you get when you go to pick up a pan and think it is steel or iron, and you adjust to pick it up, and its actually aluminum? It lifts way easier than you felt it would and its a weird feeling. When i grab the bar and my first rep is like that, I get even more into it and keep going and going and feel like i gain momentum and ease as i go...That is when i am beyond heaven. I love that feeling. The gym is my church, my psychologist, my second best friend, My comfort zone and my place where i belong for 1.5 hours any given day of the week and weekend, anytime is gym time....:^)
Tonight is pizza night and a bit of junkeroonie food, tomorrow is Chest, shoulders, triceps day...So it will be good....Ultimate pump day...