Static stretching before or after a workout?

I used to think it was good to stretch well before getting started, and honestly I noticed it made me sluggish during the workout. Since I started doing the opposite, my performance has improved. The thing people often forget to mention is that there's a big difference between static stretching (you stay locked in the position for 30 seconds) and dynamic movement where you gradually move through it. Before your workout, you really want to wake your muscles up and raise your body temperature, not relax them like you're about to go to bed.

After the effort, that's when your muscles are warm and reactive - perfect for a good static stretch. That's where you'll actually gain flexibility without risking injury. One detail that goes unnoticed: a lot of people do their static stretches right after their workout and that's fine, but they do it wrong by going too hard. You need to gradually push further, not force it all at once like you've got something to prove. It hurts and it's counterproductive.