chadphillips69 Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hello all. I have been doing cross country and track and field for two years now, going into my third year. Each day my coach can emphasize nothing more than properly stretching each muscle before AND after every race and workout. I stretch at least twice each day and spend about 45-60 seconds on each major muscle group. Anway, to the point, I am incapable of doing anything close to a split. A martial art instructor the other day saw me stretching and suggested splits. I was so embarassed of how high I was the ground when trying it, about 8-10 inches. Can someone please help me out and give me advice on what to do about this problem? I want to have better flexibility throughout my leg and I believe the ability to achieve a split is a key factor to faster, stronger and higher kicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aefibird Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Keep on going! The more you practice the better you will get at stretching. Keep on stretching every day and I'm sure that soon you will see an improvement. Remember, the warmer your muscles are, the better the stretch will be, so warm up well before doing any stretches. I'm naturally very stiff (like a broom handle!), but one excercise that helped me was to sit with my legs apart up against the couch and try and push myself towards the couch, which pushes the legs further apart. Finally, make sure that you are stretching correctly, as incorrect stretching could do more harm than good. Get an instructor to have a look at your stretching routine and see if they can suggest any improvements that you could make to it. Good luck! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Dragon Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Another way to practice your splits flexibility is to try and go as far as you can in the splits.Then try your best to touch your head to the floor,remember to breath out when you lean your head towards the floor,it helps out a lot. ''I know what your thinking.........did I shoot you 3 times? or did I shoot you 472 times?'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbgirl Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Just keep doing it... I'm a runner too - not as much as you, but I have run a half marathon now - and the running KILLS my flexibility if I don't keep up the martial arts stretching after running. Running stretches are different... more of a front/back kinda thing... martial arts stretches including splits are TOTALLY different. Try stretching your hip flexors a lot, also your IT bands and psoas muscle. It will help I think - it seems to for me. Oh, and 8-10" from the ground is no where near as bad as I've seen. Keep it up! Rank: Low-Black Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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