Do I have to stretch after working out?
Yes, you should put the time into stretching! After a workout most people want to get out of the gym or leave the park as quickly as possible. The hard work has been done and you just want to go home. But, there are many benefits to stretching at the end of your session.
Whilst working out your muscles contract, if you don’t stretch these muscles they could shorten over time. Restore your muscles to their normal state by lengthening them through stretching.
Stretching or using the foam roller after a session will help to increase flexibility and range of motion. This will help to maintain correct posture and make you feel more ninja like instead of feeling like a 95 year old with bad hips.
As for post workout soreness, there are conflicting reports. Some studies have shown that stretching has an insignificant effect on long-term muscle soreness. From personal experience I believe it helps with my recovery and minimises the pain after a session.