Can EVERYONE do the splits?

[RoyalPython]

I was told that if you practices stretching every day you would eventually be able to get all the way down into the splits. I doubt this as even the people in the class that have been training for years are not all the way down.

I'm 27, is it too late for me to acheive this?

[tallgeese]

It's probibly never to late to acheive something like that. But the older you get the harder it is to acheive those high levels of flexability, that is certainly true.

If its a goal of yours, start a daily regimine to acheive it. Give yourself some extra time to get there, your connective tissue isn't as flexable as it used to be.

Also, if it's a goal you want to acheive- go for it, but high end flexability is not the be all and end all of ma's. Plenty fo great fighters couldn't do the splits if their life depended on it. That said, if you really want to pull the high kicks off well, this level of flexability will certainly help.

[bushido_man96]

Someone told me that if you can keep your base leg straight, with the foot pointing at 90 degrees, and place your other foot up on a chair back or something like that, and you are able to stand with both legs locked straight, then you have the capability to do the splits. How true this is, I don't know.

With that said, you need to research into the process for attaining the splits. Talk to your instructor about stretches to do static, and also look into PNF stretching down the road, to start pushing you past those plateau points you will likely hit.

It is a process, and it takes time. Keep at it, and you will see major results.

Just for the record, I can't do the splits, either.

[baronbvp]

I can't even get my hips to let my thighs stretch more than 90 degrees apart! That makes me a knee kicker, not a face kicker. I also finally stopped grappling because I am just no longer flexible enough and was getting hurt. Be careful not to injure your groin or hips just because of some relatively arbitrary goal of doing the splits. That will limit you even more than a lack of flexibility.

[bushido_man96]

To answer the post question, I don't think that everyone can do the splits. My mom, for example, has locked hips, from birthing 3 rather healthy boys. She could never side kick or round kick much over belt level. So, she developed quicker hands and the abilty to move inside quick. Worked well for her, too.

[BDPulver]

At one time I was able to do splits but that was before joining the army.

One thing I've noticed is if you dont keep practicing at it, eventually that flexibilty dimenishes (sp?) over time.

but since my back surgery ive started back into stretching again but its tough getting back into it.

[hawkfish]

I cannot do the splits and am a good amount away from them even though I stretch often. With that said, as long as you do not have any physical issues, I think any one can do the splits as long as they practice and have patience.

[RobertTX]

I am 48 years old. One of my goals was to be able to do the splits. After one year and three months I was finally able to do the side splits. the last couple of inches is the hardest but it is possible to get that limber again.

GOOD LUCK!

[The BB of C]

I was told that if you practices stretching every day you would eventually be able to get all the way down into the splits. I doubt this as even the people in the class that have been training for years are not all the way down.

I'm 27, is it too late for me to acheive this?

The people that train it for years and don't get it are the ones that don't understand that getting splits involves pain and knowing the difference between good and bad pain. As for you, you still have all sorts of potential. You just have to hurt yourself without hurting yourself.

[Tiger1962]

Personally, I can't do a split & am not attempting to, but I do know someone (who is older than you) who has been practicing for the past year and is almost at a complete split level.

I guess if you keep at it, it can be done.