Stretching before and after workouts may prevent injury and can make the difference between having a mediocre workout and a stellar one. Keep the following tips in mind: Before you stretch, warm up by rowing lightly for 3–5 minutes. While stretching, relax and be patient. Take deep, full breaths to maximize results. Keep your stretches static: NO bouncing or abrupt movements. Optimally complete 3–5 reps of each stretch. Hold pre-workout stretches for about 10 seconds.