Active vs. Passive Stretching

By Kyle Geary

Types of Stretching

What is the difference between the two, and is one better than another?  Active stretching is defined as using your own muscles to provide resistance.  More specifically, you are contracting muscles to stretch other muscles.  Passive stretching is defined as using external forces to stretch your muscles instead of your own ability.  Examples of external forces could be a towel, a fitness strap, or a partner assisting with the stretch.  Both active and passive stretching are great ways to increase mobility and flexibility, so depending on your accessibility to accessory equipment (ex: towel, fitness strap) and/or a stretching partner can help guide your reasoning to utilize either active or passive stretching techniques.

The Science of Stretching

Read More