Stretching

[Dimorte]

I'm just curious how often you guys stretch. Do you have "goal" for your self to keep, such as on a standing ham string stretch being able to put your finger tips on the ground through out your career. Or do you constantly push your self, like instead of finger tips, some day you want to be able to do palms? Perhaps some day be able to do a full split? Or maybe put your legs behind your head?

Also, what are some of your favorite stretches?

[DWx]

Everyday for me. Haven't been blessed with natural flexibility so really have to work on it to maintain what I do have and to try to improve. I used to be able to do front splits but lost that after I partially tore a ligament in my knee (ironically trying to do the splits cold ) would love to be able to get that back so am slowly working on that. My side splits flexibility is shocking so any stretches to improve that are my favourites at the moment.

[bushido_man96]

I stretch after I do squats at the gym, and stretch when I'm warm after some TKD stuff. I haven't been to TKD for the past few months, so I haven't done the kind of stretching I like to do. I stopped worrying about trying to do the splits years ago. I just try to keep my ability to kick my head level, and anything else is a bonus.

[Vagabond]

Unfortunately I fell out of my flexibility routine, but I did have goals. One of the ways I keep track of my goals is with the Versaflex. I use it to track the degrees of my splits (I was 150 degrees, but am now at 130).

Also a thing to keep in mind is you active and passive flexability. How far can you do the splits on the ground Vs. How high you can kick. I also like to keep tabs on my cold flexability. Can I easily touch my toes in the morning with proper form?

[ninjanurse]

Every day.

[shinka]

As often as i can...I even stretch at work during my breaks (im often alone so i don't look like an idiot lol).

I try to mix static and dynamic stretch.

I lost a lot of my flexibility and need to get it back.

BUT it's not because you can do the split..that you can kick that good.

flexibility in kicks is a lot different...BUT it sure helps to be able to do the split.

I learn something a long time ago... The leg that needs to be more flexible is not the one that goes up....it's the supporting leg.

[JustLuke]

I don't train to kick above the waist/stomach and my flexibility is adequate for this. Having said that, I would like to improve my flexibility so I really should focus more on stretching. There's only so many hours in the day, unfortunately, and I struggle to find the time to squeeze karate training in alongside my other commitments. For me, more time stretching = less time learning actual karate.

[darksoul]

I'm lucky in this respect. Despite a decade's absence, I can still kick well above my head.

That being said, I stretch every day before I train.

[Doogie]

I stretch everyday right after my cardio first thing in the morning. Also throughout the day I'll ensure that I get other stretches in when I can i.e if I have to pick something up off the floor I'll do it while locking my knees to get a deep stretch in.

[Evil Dave]

Almost daily, whenever I train. Also I'm lucky that I train clients and get to stretch with them, sometimes a couple of times a day. I can still get my foot to head height.