Yoga vs Pilates vs Stretching?

[TripleB]

After 30 years of my doc laughing at me because of my lack of flexibility, but mainly because every part of my body hurts for 24+ hours after I put in 3 hours on the court, I'm finally adding some exercises to add flexibility to this 54 year old body.

What's the most beneficial to adding flexibility to a 50+ year old body: yoga, stretching, or pilates?

Thanks!

TripleB

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

After 30 years of my doc laughing at me because of my lack of flexibility, but mainly because every part of my body hurts for 24+ hours after I put in 3 hours on the court, I'm finally adding some exercises to add flexibility to this 54 year old body.

What's the most beneficial to adding flexibility to a 50+ year old body: yoga, stretching, or pilates?

Thanks!

TripleB

I'd look at it more as "how does each one benefit me?".

I see stretching as the most basic part of the pyramid, then yoga, then pilates.

Since you're new to this, I'd start with stretching and you could probably quickly incorporate yoga. I'd leave pilates for later.

I have a pre-match stretching routine [dynamic stretches] and a post-match one [static stretches].

When you do static stretching, don't bounce. Do it slowly and gently. Don't make it a competition.

Dynamic stretching can be as simple as jogging around the court or riding a bike. You can incorporate all kinds of stretches involving quads, calves, glutes, shoulders, back, ankles, hip flexors, etc.

For example:

 

[dkmura]

It depends on what your personal needs are. Pilates can be social if you take a local class, and will definitely aid in flexibility. Learning more about how to stretch before and after matches are more of a solitary exercise, but are important to help your pain. BTW- I wish I was 54 again, but this 67 year knows all about flexibility after playing guys 10-15 years younger on a regular basis.

 

[Crocodile]

I would talk to a Physio therapist and get them to recommend the exact best routine of movements you should do. One size does not fit all.
The other thing to be aware of is that tennis players tend to be flexible and stiffer in the body segments in certain ways for a reason compared to other athletes or dancers for that matter.
There also needs a balance between flexibility and strength along with motor components such as speed, power, coordination, balance, reaction time and agility.

 

[movdqa]

I do Yoga and Stretching. I don't have one of those Pilates machines and neither does my gym so I don't do those.

 

[sureshs]

Just do some stretching and you will be fine

 

[atatu]

I'm 59, I always got bored doing yoga and was never disciplined enough to stretch consistently. About 18 months ago I went to an intro class at the local "club pilates" studio. I've been doing it ever since, even though I'm usually the only male in the classes, I really like it and it has been extremely beneficial for me. My wife noticed how much my posture improved and it has increased my core strength and my flexibility. I'm playing my best tennis in 20 years currently, and although that has more to do with losing 25 pounds during the pandemic, I think the pilates has helped a lot.

 

[Tranqville]

I'm 59, I always got bored doing yoga and was never disciplined enough to stretch consistently. About 18 months ago I went to an intro class at the local "club pilates" studio. I've been doing it ever since, even though I'm usually the only male in the classes, I really like it and it has been extremely beneficial for me. My wife noticed how much my posture improved and it has increased my core strength and my flexibility. I'm playing my best tennis in 20 years currently, and although that has more to do with losing 25 pounds during the pandemic, I think the pilates has helped a lot.

@atatu How many times per week do you practice Pilates?

 

[movdqa]

I'm 59, I always got bored doing yoga and was never disciplined enough to stretch consistently. About 18 months ago I went to an intro class at the local "club pilates" studio. I've been doing it ever since, even though I'm usually the only male in the classes, I really like it and it has been extremely beneficial for me. My wife noticed how much my posture improved and it has increased my core strength and my flexibility. I'm playing my best tennis in 20 years currently, and although that has more to do with losing 25 pounds during the pandemic, I think the pilates has helped a lot.

I do Yoga in front of my workstation (4 27 inch monitors) and I just play something on one of the monitors. There are clocks below two of the monitors for timed poses.

But I always say: do whatever you like doing as that's what you'll do, even when you don't feel like it.