Should you stretch before a workout? There was a time when stretching felt mandatory, and I felt the need to tell you guys that it’s OK not to. But the pendulum has now swung the other way, and influencers are telling you that stretching will kill your gains—but that’s not really true either. Let’s break down the pros and cons of stretching before a workout, so you can figure out what you should actually do next time you go to the gym. Stretching can increase your range of motion temporarilyThe best reason to stretch before a workout is to prepare yourself for that specific workout. For example, many people have trouble squatting as deeply as they would like, and the reason is often that they need better ankle mobility so they can bend their knees while their feet are flat on the floor. If this sounds familiar, some stretches for your calves and Achilles tendons will make a big difference. Do these before you squat, and your squats will go a lot better.Stretching increases your short-term range of motion, as you’ll notice if you try to touch your toes 10 times in a row. Your first attempt might not get your hands very far toward the ground, but by the 10th you’ll be reaching a lot lower than you did at first.