Stiff at 33, need help

[Seattle Slew]

I am 33 years old and a yellow belt in TKD and I can't kick high enough yet and my body is very stiff. My instructor says that my body will only stiffen up more as I get older which I do not want to happen. The best way to prevent the stiffness from settling in is stretching daily? I really do not want the stiffness to get any worse than it already is.

[elbows_and_knees]

1. stretch daily.

2. let the training take its course. you're still new. be persistent with your stretching and you will become more flexible. As you age the progress will come to you slower, as you started later in life, but it will come in time.

[CloudDragon]

I always take a hot shower and do some light cardio to make sure the muscles are warmed up before stretching. I also do cool down stretching after EVERY workout. Since I started doing this 2 years ago I have had no pulled muscles, very rare and minor soreness, and I went from belt high to head high kicks. BTW I am also 33.

[mik]

Ever heared of PNF.....

http://www.martinvidic.com/martinvidic_en_2006/flash_mavi/stretching.htm

Str/infos

[Aodhan]

Ever heared of PNF.....

http://www.martinvidic.com/martinvidic_en_2006/flash_mavi/stretching.htm

Str/infos

PNF is an excellent stretching method, I use it a couple times a week.

As far as the original post, just keep stretching. Muscles get tighter as you get older because most people's activity level drops. Keep up the activity and stretching, and you'll be fine.

I'm 39 and I just learned to do 540's and back flips again.

Aodhan

[DragonMike]

Absolutely keep stretching. And let the training run its course. If you train regularly and stretch you will begin to notice a real difference in your flexibiliity.

[Blackbeltblonde]

Stretch while watching tv.

And warm your joints and muscles up before you work out and train.. but stretch afterwards.. it's better on your joints.

~BBB