Traction Stretcher vs. Hanging vs. Manual Stretches - All the same in the end?

[Gladhander]

I recently started using a stretcher device. I stretch as far as I can with it. I go to the point of discomfort with the stretch, trying to keep it around my BPFSL. After 15-30 minutes, it becomes painful. I remove the device, shake it out, then go again. I have been using it for 3-4 hours a day in total stretched time. I usually have 2 days off a week (wife home). In addition, I do ERECT BENDS every other PE day.

My question is, how effective does this sound, as compared to hanging or performing manual stretches, both of which also stretch to the max? At thge end of the day, if I spent an equal amount of time under tension using any of these 3 methods, should I expect similar results?

 

[Marlon LGHanger]

What's the name of the stretcher device you're using? If it's painful after a short period of time it can lead to diminished results.
Hand stretching is a PE foundation, only it requires a significant amount of time and dedication with privacy. I personally experienced better / faster results with weight hanging. I could do it while I worked and allow gravity to do the job for me. Much more efficient use of my time.

 

[Big Al]

There are pros and cons to each method. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to the various methods:

Extenders-
Pros:
-You know exactly how much tension is being generated
-Workout is "hands free"
-Progress is easy to track and forecast
-Can be worn with certain clothes
Cons:
-Requires constant supervision
-Maximum tension possible is very light
-Must be worn for many total hours to see results
-Can be uncomfortable without adequate padding

Weight hangers-
Pros:
-Workout is "hands free"
-Very high tension is possible
-You know exactly how much tension is being generated
Cons:
-Injuries more common with this method- though new developments with vacuum style hangers have mitigated this to some degree
-Often uncomfortable even with adequate padding
-Cannot be done in public

Manual exercises-
Pros:
-Very convenient
-Very high tension is possible
-Tension level is easily adjustable
-The most fluid of all methods
Cons:
-Tension is difficult to measure- must use estimates
-Cannot be done in public
-Must have relatively strong hands for hard or long workouts

Please feel free to add to this list

My personal preferences favor manual exercises, although each method is effective when performed correctly. What is perceived as a disadvantage with manual methods can actually force one to become sensitive to minor variations- which can help to develop that much needed kinesthetic sense for successful training.

You may need to test one or more methods to see what works best for you.

 

[Gladhander]

There are pros and cons to each method. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to the various methods:

Extenders-
Pros:
-You know exactly how much tension is being generated
-Workout is "hands free"
-Progress is easy to track and forecast
-Can be worn with certain clothes
Cons:
-Requires constant supervision
-Maximum tension possible is very light
-Must be worn for many total hours to see results
-Can be uncomfortable without adequate padding

Weight hangers-
Pros:
-Workout is "hands free"
-Very high tension is possible
-You know exactly how much tension is being generated
Cons:
-Injuries more common with this method- though new developments with vacuum style hangers have mitigated this to some degree
-Often uncomfortable even with adequate padding
-Cannot be done in public

Manual exercises-
Pros:
-Very convenient
-Very high tension is possible
-Tension level is easily adjustable
-The most fluid of all methods
Cons:
-Tension is difficult to measure- must use estimates
-Cannot be done in public
-Must have relatively strong hands for hard or long workouts

Please feel free to add to this list

My personal preferences favor manual exercises, although each method is effective when performed correctly. What is perceived as a disadvantage with manual methods can actually force one to become sensitive to minor variations- which can help to develop that much needed kinesthetic sense for successful training.

You may need to test one or more methods to see what works best for you.

I enjoy the "hands-on" manual workouts to an extent, but in my limited experience I think manual is better for girth rather than length. Way back in the day (2010) when I first joined this site I started with 5" girth. Doing only manual exercises I did gain 1/4", bringing my MEG to 5 1/4". For years I hadn't done any PE, and when I decided to start again and measured, I still showed 5 1/4", meaning those were permanent gains. So I know manual work will work there. But to get in enough time under tension from just manual work seems like a tall order.

So I'm doing the manual exercises for girth now - and have seen gains already, not just swelling or edema either - but using the LeLuv Extender for length. According to my recent measurements it is working too. I just wish it was more comfortable. However, if I get the results I'm after, I can take the discomfort .

 

[Gladhander]

I enjoy the "hands-on" manual workouts to an extent, but in my limited experience I think manual is better for girth rather than length. Way back in the day (2008) when I first joined this site I started with 5" girth. Doing only manual exercises I did gain 1/4", bringing my MEG to 5 1/4". For years I hadn't done any PE, and when I decided to start again and measured, I still showed 5 1/4", meaning those were permanent gains. So I know manual work will work there. But to get in enough time under tension from just manual work seems like a tall order.

So I'm doing the manual exercises for girth now - and have seen gains already, not just swelling or edema either - but using the LeLuv Extender for length. According to my recent measurements it is working too. I just wish it was more comfortable. However, if I get the results I'm after, I can take the discomfort .

 

[BigO]

What is best will be subjective.

I prefer hanging but others will prefer something else.

In my opinion, choose the one you enjoy most. Odds are, you will be more consistent and that is the key to gains

 

[Big Al]

What is best will be subjective.

I prefer hanging but others will prefer something else.

In my opinion, choose the one you enjoy most. Odds are, you will be more consistent and that is the key to gains

Great advice! If the method of training is unappealing then sticking with it will be difficult. With all of the available options, it should be easy to choose something desirable, and experimentation will likely be necessary.

 

[Gladhander]

The thing is, I complain about the discomfort of the Extender but I love that stretched feeling. On the bright side, I am getting better at wrapping and strapping in, so it's marginally less uncomfortable than it was.

 

[SirPumpsALot]

All of them have their place IMO…

Manuals are nice to hit different angles with some considerable force, and you can manipulate the blood flow. However as mentioned, privacy and stamina(of your hands/forearms) come in to play.

Extenders allow you to be extended for several hours while in public as long as you can figure out the padding/tension/clothing so that you can at least go for 2 hours. However, it can be difficult or impossible to wear under your work clothes and it also remain comfortable enough to last a full 2 hours.

Hanging is nice. Vacuum hangers like the LG Hanger make it quite comfortable, you choose the exact desired weight/tension, and most people can get a session of an hour no problem once you figure out the wrapping, weight, conditioning, etc.

Personally, I recently got the LG Hanger and also own a sizegenetics extender. I am able to wake up early, get 30min to 2hours of hanging in the morning, then put on the extender for 4-5 hours as I go about my day. Some days I wear it for an additional 4 hours. Then when I get home I do another 1-2 hours of hanging, then back into the extender until im ready for bed.

The best advice I can give you with your extender is to (1) pad it up - I use sports pre-wrap on my shaft, on the velcro strap, and on the plastic part of the extender where my dick is strapped In. (2) Wear it at LOW tension - this is crucial to be able to condition yourself for longer wear times, and also there is nothing worse than being out in public and having this thing torture you or for it to slip off.

 

[Big Al]

The thing is, I complain about the discomfort of the Extender but I love that stretched feeling. On the bright side, I am getting better at wrapping and strapping in, so it's marginally less uncomfortable than it was.

This is good news!

Establishing comfort in a device is a priority. It can change with time as the load and duration increases.

 

[8ToGo]

What's the name of the stretcher device you're using? If it's painful after a short period of time it can lead to diminished results.
Hand stretching is a PE foundation, only it requires a significant amount of time and dedication with privacy. I personally experienced better / faster results with weight hanging. I could do it while I worked and allow gravity to do the job for me. Much more efficient use of my time.

I agree, hanging is better.

 

[Marlon LGHanger]

BigO is correct.... all things even outside of PE that we choose in life are subjective. However you can't be objective when you don't know what you don't know. You can think that doing pushups is just as effective at building your chest (pectoral muscle) as weighted bench presses. Pushups might feel easier and definitely be less costly than a gym membership or purchasing an Olympic bar, weight and a bench, but will pushups deliver the same results? NO!
Is Tylenol just as effective a pain reliever as morphine? NO!
Is walking as effective as running if you're training for a marathon? NO!
Is a fork better than chop sticks? Maybe not if all you've ever used are chop sticks and have never eaten with a fork.
I can come up with dozens of more examples, but most will get the point I'm attempting to make.

Everyone makes choices primarily based on one thing.... COST.
When it comes to PE and the most effective training methods that will produce a multi-inch gain, I've said it countless times, it's threefold.
Hand stretching / jelqing, weight hanging with a quality vacuum based device that uses a hand pump that measures Hg vac pressure, and pumping. Other devices like Extenders have their place as supplements, but those who put all their faith in an extender to produce a multi-inch gain are pushing a big rock up a hill! I read countless forum posts and emails from guys who've been using an extender for nearly a decade and are still trying to gain their first inch!

They post disappointing stories and keep asking "what am I doing wrong?"

 

[sdaddy]

For manual stretching, instead of using the hands, use an attachment device and attach the device to a rope. Anchor the other end of the rope to a fixed point (e.g., a chair, end of a dip bar, edge of a any heavy device. The end that is attached to a fixture must be approximately chest-level.

1. Place your hands on the fixture for balance.

2. Position your feet to where your body is leaning at a 60 (to 85) degree angle.

3. Lean forward in a controlled and slow manner until you feel an nice stretch.

4. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.

I use this primarily as a complement to weight hanging. Weight hanging doesn't work the underside of the penis. This manual stretching technique does. I find it an easier alternative to the over-the-shoulder weight pull.

 

[Big Al]

This is an interesting alternative! Thanks for posting this!

 

[Bueller86]

So, let's resurrect this thread ..... I'm game. So, if you assume that your 'limiting' factor in length are actually ligaments - then you may subscribe to the 'time under tension' belief. That is: doing slow purposeful stretches are generally more effective than high stress/weight but low dwell time stretches. That would lead me to a stretcher device that can be worn for extended periods of time. Personally, I can't/won't do an ADS - so I make do with manuals ---- maybe why I've plateau'd

 

[blink2000]

for me, skin was a major limiting factor & was causing turkeyneck (the shaft was stealing skin from the balls) .. for me pumping is how i corrected turkeyneck & stretched/ grew my shaft skin (it was pretty bad & took about 6 months to fix...

-my first time doing PE- I spent 3 years & only gained 0.75" length and 1" BPFSL (BUT I did gain 1.25" base girth and ~0.4" mid-shaft girth) -- with very high strain (probably above 5%). I used a compression hanger & got up to 16 or 20lbs
-2nd attempt at PE - 1.7 years for 2.1" BPFSL only using a few pounds of force with a vac ADS & 1" BPEL (I'm now at about ~5.5lbs and 2.5 hours with a vac ADS).

-observations: times with 3-4% strain I grew MUCH faster
-times with low strain (<= 1.5%) or times with high strain -- are when I've grown the least. And in my experience, high strain yields worse growth than ultra low strain.

 

[Bueller86]

I'm focused on skin issues now. In regards to tight skin, trying to prevent 'turkey neck', you may/should focus on intaking a lot of water and anti-oxident-rich foods for natural improvement. If you want to apply a topical, then look for skin care cream with vitamin c and retinol.

Personally, I'm started having very sensitive (and agitated skin) about 4 months ago. I didn't change any of my routines, but suddenly started have a skin rash. I've taken a lot of time off, and periodically do a session to see if the skin has healed, but it seems that almost every time I now do a workout session my skin becomes agitated again. I do think my clamp has a pinch point that is causing abrasion, but that does not explain the other 'splotchy' agitation further up the shaft. I think the primary cause may be either the tunica scrapping or the twist/pull exercise.

 

[blink2000]

sorry to hear that... i've found red-light & peptides help with skin (peptides are effectively low-risk chemical PE too, but i took them for general health & to recover from old shoulder/ back injuries & it really worked - PE healing was a side benefit). That stack is BPC-157, TB-500 and GHK-Cu

 

[DM-513]

Manuals are cool and all but they are tiring on the hands.