Stretching

[N.O. Muay Thai]

How important is stretching in Muay Thai? We don't do much if any stretching. I mean when we warm up we will do a little bit but no one in the class can do a split. Should this be something that I do on my own time or before or after the class dismisses?

[Mart]

Icant do anything near the splits i do in tital maybe 10 mins of stretching a week, i can kick head height cos of technique.

 

I should stretch more though and you could do some out of class, stretching alot reduces power so be careful but a little flexibility can increase as its easier to do the technique correctly.

 

Hope this helps

[TheDevilAside]

stretching alot reduces power so be careful but a little flexibility can increase as its easier to do the technique correctly.

 

..how's that? :/ I've been stretching a Lot, but I can still lift the same amount of weight and reps and (though my hand doesn't have a speedometer) I punch just as fast and powerfully.

[Mart]

There is an optimum length for the muscle to contract for power i did this in biomechanics in biology when i was at Uni but im damned if i can remember the explaination. Sorry i will see if i can dig out my old course book.

 

I cant give you an answer at the moment.

[Wise Master]

I can do a front split but not full splits, split does not matter for warming up at all its a bonus for hip flexibility.

 

To do the splits is keep doing it in splits position everyday slowly move down use gravity never try bouce when doing splits, if you try hard you'll get your splits in 3 months.

[N.O. Muay Thai]

Doint a split is not a goal of mine. I was just wondering how important it was to stretch and be flexible for Muay Thai.

[muaythaifreak]

stretching is always important no matter what physical activity you are engaged in as it tends to help the muscle to relax and get rid of excess acids that build up in the muscle with exertion, (lactic acid? can't remember.). Thereby reducing sorness and helping to prevent cramping and injury. However, flexibility is not so much a demand in MT as it is in some other MA's. I stretch for about five min or so before class, and about fifteen to twenty min after class. Generally, I think it's best to stretch more after the exertion while the muscle is still "warmed up". At least that's what my therapist friend told me. He's a PT/OT by the way if that means anything to anyone. I figure he knows more about it than I do, so I take his advice on matters such as this.

[Fat Donkey]

U guys r lucky. My Arjun jumps on me when we do the stretching, we do at least 20 min worth. He gave me one stretch designed for pregnant women(I'm a guy) and made me do it against a wall. I couldn't walk straight for 2 days. Luckily the little Thai masochist only weighs 130lbs, but my flexibility increased dramatically after only a month.

[Topic]

Share some tips wiht us Fat Donkey.

[SevenStar]

being able to do the splits isn't important, but flexibility is. We stretch for about 10 mins every class after the warm ups, and again after class ends.

 

As for what mart was saying, too much flexibility isn't bad. the flexibility will actually aid to the strength and speed of your kicks. That said, however, I think I know what you are trying to say:

 

It's bad to strecth immeditately before a fight. Watch MMA - you will see guys like tito ortiz doing something plyometric, like jumping before the fight. This is to "load" his muscles, as you can be more explosive when they are tighter.