Flexibility

[Kodakmint]

What is the best way to train flexibility?

[JusticeZero]

Daily dynamic flexibility exercizes as a warmup, followed by gentle static stretches as a cooldown, none to the point of pain.

[Liver Punch]

I believe that Kathy Long once stated that the best way - or her method anyhow - was to work on flexibility exercises for one hour each day. If I understand everything that I've been told properly, you stretch before activity to avoid injury, and after activity to actually gain more flexibility.

[MasterPain]

Yep, stretching enough to gain flexibility before a workout is dangerous. Leaves the connecty parts too loose.

[JusticeZero]

Dynamic stretches to gain flexibility, and static stretches during cooldown to set it; however, doing "warmup stretches" before training actually increases the risk of injury during training. Save stretching for the end of class, if it's part of class. Warmups aren't stretching, and are important to prevent injury from cold joints and tissue.

The reason I say 'dynamic stretches to warm up' is because this advice is separate from martial arts technique training. I'm talking about getting up, doing things like soft stretch kicking until your range of motion increases to its limits, then cooling down with some static stretches, then getting on with the rest of your day. If you have other exercizes, do them first.

[Kodakmint]

Thank all of you. You've been very informative.

[bushido_man96]

One of the biggest things with gaining flexibility is being consistent with your stretching. Along with the advise given above, make it a part of your routine so it is done regularly.

[DojoTalk]

Consistency is the key to any stretching program (or any program at all for that matter). If you only stretch when you feel like it, chances are you won't be stretching that much. I've actually written a sample stretching routine on my site. Let me know if you are interested.

Either way, best of luck!

[Sainthood]

DojoTalk, I am defiantly interested in taking a look at your stretching routine if you don`t mind posting or sending me the link. I have working towards become more flexible and can`t seem to get a good routine down.

[DojoTalk]

Sainthood,

Here is a link to the article that has the stretching routine. http://dojotalk.com/stretching-flexibility-martial-artists-part-3/

The entire routine takes about 15-20 mins. If you want to know more about the benefits of stretching, or the different types of stretching, check out parts 1 and 2 of the article. The links are in the top paragraph.

Ultimately, it comes down to the person doing it on a regular basis. If you are seeking to improve flexibility, you have to put time in pretty much daily. If you are seeking to maintain flexibility, then 3 times a week or so is usually sufficient.

As Eilson mentioned, yoga is also a great way to increase flexibility, strength and balance. In fact, I just did the P90X yoga for the first time a few nights ago. Great stretching and man, I'm still sore from it