What do ya'll think about this?

[savedbygrace]

I made a post several months ago about finding your kicking "range" while you are not warmed up to kinda give you an idea of what it was in case it ever had to be used, say in an altercation. I know this can be very dangerous and put you at high risk for injury. But, before I started my workout yesterday I wanted to get an idea of what my range may be while I was "cold". What I found is that my kicks are only about 2-3 inches shorter than from when I am fully stretched. Is this normal? I was assuming my kicks would be alot more shorter than this. I dont know if this means that I have hit a plateau and I'm not pushing myself to become more flexable or what. I kinda dont know where to go from here. I know my flexability can greatly improve, but I guess I'm unsure of what further exercises/training techniques to start, or if I need to just continue what Im doing. Any ideas/thoughts/tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[bushido_man96]

Everyone is going to be a little bit different. Some can kick high right out of the box, and some will have to warm up first. Most likely in self-defense, you should't have to kick much above waist level.

As for your training, if you don't do any current partner stretching routines, then you could start doing those. They may help you reach a new level in your flexibility.

[savedbygrace]

Everyone is going to be a little bit different. Some can kick high right out of the box, and some will have to warm up first. Most likely in self-defense, you should't have to kick much above waist level.

As for your training, if you don't do any current partner stretching routines, then you could start doing those. They may help you reach a new level in your flexibility.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunatlly, unless Im in class, I dont have anyone to train with on my off days...some of you guys need to move down here for training partners... ...but I'll try to figure something out....It sucks living in a small town sometimes.

[bushido_man96]

Everyone is going to be a little bit different. Some can kick high right out of the box, and some will have to warm up first. Most likely in self-defense, you should't have to kick much above waist level.

As for your training, if you don't do any current partner stretching routines, then you could start doing those. They may help you reach a new level in your flexibility.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunatlly, unless Im in class, I dont have anyone to train with on my off days...some of you guys need to move down here for training partners... ...but I'll try to figure something out....It sucks living in a small town sometimes.

I hear ya...I live in a very rural area as well. The town is good sized, but limited.

[ps1]

By "kicking range" did you mean height or distance or both (I didn't see the old post)?

Anyway, if you've been stretching regularly and properly, you won't see a huge change between being warmed up and cold. You're certainly at a higher risk for pulling a muscle when you're cold. But your flexibility gains should be very similar. I can do a split cold with no proplems. If those gains didn't translate to everyday life, training flexibility would be a waste of your time. But they do remain, that's why flexibility is one of the five components of physical fitness.

[DWx]

I can do a split cold with no proplems.

That's just plain weird and unnatural.

If those gains didn't translate to everyday life, training flexibility would be a waste of your time. But they do remain, that's why flexibility is one of the five components of physical fitness.

I agree with this. I mean, what's the point in being able to kick head height when in self defense you have to say: "Just hold on a minute while I warm-up!"

As for lack of training partners, I get round this by using the furniture in the house. Like for when I wanna do a more advanced stretch, I grab onto the coffee table and use it to pull myself forward whilst bracing my legs or whatever against the table legs etc. Or (I recommend trying this gently first) I place my leg in like a side kick position on the stairs (our stairs don't have a back to them so I can put my foot on the stairs whilst standing underneath the stairs... ) and lean into the stretch... Maybe you could get something similar to work for you savedbygrace?

[bushido_man96]

I can do a split cold with no proplems.

That is sweet. Once again, I am jealous!

Another note that I would add is that when the adrenaline dumps in self defense situations, you would be surprised how fast your muscles become more supple.

As for lack of training partners, I get round this by using the furniture in the house. Like for when I wanna do a more advanced stretch, I grab onto the coffee table and use it to pull myself forward whilst bracing my legs or whatever against the table legs etc. Or (I recommend trying this gently first) I place my leg in like a side kick position on the stairs (our stairs don't have a back to them so I can put my foot on the stairs whilst standing underneath the stairs... ) and lean into the stretch... Maybe you could get something similar to work for you savedbygrace?

These are all great ways of stretching on your own, and using stationary objects to add resistance is a good idea. As far as doing the partner stretching (PNF stretches, preferably), you will only want to do these a few times a week. Therefore, only doing them on your class nights would probably work out just right for you.

[savedbygrace]

By "kicking range" did you mean height or distance or both (I didn't see the old post)?

Anyway, if you've been stretching regularly and properly, you won't see a huge change between being warmed up and cold. You're certainly at a higher risk for pulling a muscle when you're cold. But your flexibility gains should be very similar. I can do a split cold with no proplems. If those gains didn't translate to everyday life, training flexibility would be a waste of your time. But they do remain, that's why flexibility is one of the five components of physical fitness.

Yes, when I say kicking range I do mean height and distance. Since my kicking height and distance are almost the same wether Im cold or fully stretched, does this mean I need to start pushing myself more while stretching?..Not as in pushing myself to injury...but I feel like I'm pushing myself pretty far right now, and I dont know if Im not doing enough. Thanks

[savedbygrace]

I can do a split cold with no proplems.

That's just plain weird and unnatural.

If those gains didn't translate to everyday life, training flexibility would be a waste of your time. But they do remain, that's why flexibility is one of the five components of physical fitness.

I agree with this. I mean, what's the point in being able to kick head height when in self defense you have to say: "Just hold on a minute while I warm-up!"

As for lack of training partners, I get round this by using the furniture in the house. Like for when I wanna do a more advanced stretch, I grab onto the coffee table and use it to pull myself forward whilst bracing my legs or whatever against the table legs etc. Or (I recommend trying this gently first) I place my leg in like a side kick position on the stairs (our stairs don't have a back to them so I can put my foot on the stairs whilst standing underneath the stairs... ) and lean into the stretch... Maybe you could get something similar to work for you savedbygrace?

Thank you for the tips. I dont have stairs at home, but Ive got a few other things that I may be able to use.

[DWx]

Thank you for the tips. I dont have stairs at home, but Ive got a few other things that I may be able to use.

I don't know if this is an option for you, but I've been trying to persuade my parents to let me drill a hole through a steel beam in the attic... I want to put like a pully in the ceiling and thread a cord through it which my foot can go in. Sorta like a DIY version of this:

https://www.ultimateforce-mas.co.uk/catalogue_images/uploads/803484exp.jpg