Sport
Can strength training make you more flexible?
The short answer
A meta-analysis of 55 studies found that strength training can increase range of motion. In the comparisons studied, strength training and stretching programmes showed no significant difference in improvement.
In practice
Do not judge your exercises on weight alone. Also focus on moving with control within a range that suits you. Compare your technique over time under similar conditions.
The nuance
This does not make stretching unnecessary for everyone, and it does not automatically apply to a specific injury or limited joint function. The participants studied were healthy; do not force a painful position.
