Stretch Grip & Intensity

The difference between maintaining a good grip and frequent slippage during manual stretching exercises can be the difference between a good and a poor workout.

A good grip will lessen the time it takes to conduct each stretch rep, assist to maintain intensity and also minimize possible discomfort to the glans.

Many different methods of gripping have been suggested throughout the forums over the years and the most popular seem to be using a square of toilet paper/tissue, wrapped around the glans and upper shaft, Talcum powder, or various other items such as latex gloves, soft material, towels, flanells etc.

Of course, we are all aware that the correct position to grip from, is using the ‘OK” grip on the upper shaft directly under the glans. This position allows the raised ridge area of the glans to be used as the anchor point for the stretch.

I have personally tried them all and my favourite is a liberal sprinkling of talcum powder over the glans and upper shaft. If you choose to do your stretching in the bathtub or shower, then towelling material (face flannel) or cotton material (pair of jocks) may assist to prevent slippage under these circumstances.

For those of us that like to do our jelqing before our stretching, it is vitally important to remove all traces of lubrication from your penis and hands as this will only exacerbate slippage problems if overlooked.

Once you have found the ideal grip method, it will assist to maintain the intensity levels over the duration required, for effective stretching.

Poor grip/slippage, results in the initial intensity decreasing over the duration of the stretch, whilst frantically counting the seconds till you can release your poor squashed and painful glans.

This situation is NOT conducive to gains, the stretch is never intense enough and definitely not long enough to be of any value.

A good stretch will maintain the same, consistent intensity over the course of the stretch, be it 15 seconds or 30 seconds. If you are doing 30 second stretches, but find your intensity decreasing in the last 15 or so seconds of the stretch, go back to stretching in 15 second reps.

The ideal stretch will be where the consistent intensity applied, can be increased in the latter stages of the stretch.

I personally use 2 hands to do my stretching in 30 second reps. For the first 15 – 20 seconds, I give about 80% of my strength to the stretch. In the last 10 – 15 seconds of the stretch, I increase the amount of strength from 80% to the full 100%. I can “feel” that little bit more give in the ligaments and tunica in those latter stages.

During and after completion of an effective stretch session, there are a couple of signs that you may notice, that will indicate that you are sufficiently “worked”. There are 2 places that you may feel the fatigue if you are using considerable intensity, the first is in the ligaments at the base of the shaft.

The correct intensity should provide a feeling of these being pulled/stretched or even a "burn" feel. After the exercises, you may feel a "dull ache" in the area that could last into the next day. The second, but less obvious feeling comes from the shaft area, this is in relation to the "tunica" being stretched a little as well.

As always, before attempting any intense stretching, you must ensure that the base area and penis is sufficiently warmed up to increase elasticity and plasticity of ligaments, tunica and tissues and to minimize the chance of injury.

After stretching, it is important to warm down as well, to allow stressed tissues etc to relax and assist in speedier recovery.