[Jiraya Sama]

Splits. Something someone can learn or you have to be born flexible? 23 Years of age and can't do any real splits at all. Real bad. Can't squat down without using squat machine can tell you how inflexible I am. So what I'm asking is, is it possible for me to learn how to do full splits at my age now? (Trying to learn for martial application).

Any training exercises out there? Give me ideas and opinions.

Thank you.

[BKS]

Move more, try to do it more, stretch more

you may or may not up able to do the splits but if you stick at it you will get a lot more flexible. It's not about learning how to do it, it's obvious how to do it. You need to train your muscles to be able to do it

[zguitarmagic]

I don't kno about splits, but u can definitely improve ur flexibility whatever ur age.
Could never touch my toes or nothing when i was a kid now can do it palms on floor, lotus, cobra etc.
It's really good for u (regardless what for say no more.. ) so yeah work on it!

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[Deziah]

You can, it might be harder, but it can still be done.
You have to stick to a flexibility routine and ensure that you do it every day. If I miss one day without stretching, then I find that my muscles hurt a little more after doing the splits.
If you're determined, it's not impossible. :-)

What splits you wanting to learn?

[Jiraya Sama]

(Original post by Deziah)
You can, it might be harder, but it can still be done.
You have to stick to a flexibility routine and ensure that you do it every day. If I miss one day without stretching, then I find that my muscles hurt a little more after doing the splits.
If you're determined, it's not impossible. :-)

What splits you wanting to learn?

Splits good enough so I can roundhouse kick. Or try and kick over head. Can't kick to save my life at the moment above knee/waist height. What's more weird is also that my leg does not kick out straight, my knee stops my legs from kicking straight out, instead its more of a arch. Hopefully that made sence.

Any flexibility routines out there? I have no idea in how to stretch to be flexible.

Thanks in advance

[Deziah]

(Original post by Jiraya Sama)
Splits good enough so I can roundhouse kick. Or try and kick over head. Can't kick to save my life at the moment above knee/waist height. What's more weird is also that my leg does not kick out straight, my knee stops my legs from kicking straight out, instead its more of a arch. Hopefully that made sence.

Any flexibility routines out there? I have no idea in how to stretch to be flexible.

Thanks in advance

You're best starting with the hip flexor stretch - if you google it, there's plenty of images. You need to ensure that your hips are turned up and that you feel a dull ache in your thigh muscle. Do that for thirty seconds - a minute every day, on each leg.

Another good stretch is sitting in straddle position (there's pictures on google of that), and lean down each leg. Ensure that you're leaning forward, rather than sideways. Leaning sideways would stretch the muscle in your side rather than your leg. Do that for thirty seconds - a minute each day, for each leg.

After doing these stretches your muscles will be warmed up, so you can now proceed to do the splits. You're best starting in the hip flexor position, and then focusing on getting your front leg straight. Find a comfortable position and don't move at all! If you move, you won't achieve anything. Grit your teeth and remember to breath through the pain, but you shouldn't be in so much pain that it's unbearable, if you're you might pull a muscle. Do this once on each leg for thirty seconds - a minute. Don't try and go straight into the splits! I did this once and badly injured my leg. And you'll find that you won't be able to keep balance. Focus on straightening the front leg and then gently push forward as far as you can go.

I was a gymnast for eight years and currently a dancer, so I know a thing or two about flexibility haha. Do you do kick boxing or something? If so, when you're training or exercising, you're best doing these stretches twice on each leg to cool down. Your muscles will be warmed up and you'll be able to get the maximum effect. Then on the days that you aren't training, just do it once on each leg. Be strict on yourself, and don't give up!

If you want any more help, don't hesitate to ask. :-)

[tooosh]

Initial flexibility is determined by genetics, but you can always become more/less flexible with activity. There's probably something in our DNA that controls how responsive our flexibility is to stretches; something along those lines.

[Jiraya Sama]

(Original post by Deziah)
You're best starting with the hip flexor stretch - if you google it, there's plenty of images. You need to ensure that your hips are turned up and that you feel a dull ache in your thigh muscle. Do that for thirty seconds - a minute every day, on each leg.

Another good stretch is sitting in straddle position (there's pictures on google of that), and lean down each leg. Ensure that you're leaning forward, rather than sideways. Leaning sideways would stretch the muscle in your side rather than your leg. Do that for thirty seconds - a minute each day, for each leg.

After doing these stretches your muscles will be warmed up, so you can now proceed to do the splits. You're best starting in the hip flexor position, and then focusing on getting your front leg straight. Find a comfortable position and don't move at all! If you move, you won't achieve anything. Grit your teeth and remember to breath through the pain, but you shouldn't be in so much pain that it's unbearable, if you're you might pull a muscle. Do this once on each leg for thirty seconds - a minute. Don't try and go straight into the splits! I did this once and badly injured my leg. And you'll find that you won't be able to keep balance. Focus on straightening the front leg and then gently push forward as far as you can go.

I was a gymnast for eight years and currently a dancer, so I know a thing or two about flexibility haha. Do you do kick boxing or something? If so, when you're training or exercising, you're best doing these stretches twice on each leg to cool down. Your muscles will be warmed up and you'll be able to get the maximum effect. Then on the days that you aren't training, just do it once on each leg. Be strict on yourself, and don't give up!

If you want any more help, don't hesitate to ask. :-)

I practice Kung Fu. Always been weak in kicking. Especially high kicks or round house kicks. My knees don't bend straight and let me kick out. That's why I definitely need to train. Is there anything like over training in stretching? Your saying 2 times a day, what if I was to do more than that? (10+ a day).

Thank you

[Jiraya Sama]

(Original post by tooosh)
Initial flexibility is determined by genetics, but you can always become more/less flexible with activity. There's probably something in our DNA that controls how responsive our flexibility is to stretches; something along those lines.

I pray my genetics don't stop me from doing high kicks.

[Jessica no]

U can do the splits if you practice each day at first it will hurt and u won't be doing a real split but with time you will get better and eventally be able to do em


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Deziah]

(Original post by Jiraya Sama)
I practice Kung Fu. Always been weak in kicking. Especially high kicks or round house kicks. My knees don't bend straight and let me kick out. That's why I definitely need to train. Is there anything like over training in stretching? Your saying 2 times a day, what if I was to do more than that? (10+ a day).

Thank you

I recently strained my back by over stretching and it's absolute agony, it's not only stopped me from stretching but makes general exercise painful at times. So, it's best not to overstretch. If you stick to 1-2 times a day for two weeks, then your muscles will be more flexible and will be able to endure more stretching. So, after two weeks you can change it to 3-4 times a day, and so on. In order for it to work, then you must do it everyday, and if you start on ten times a day then you're less likely to stick to it and it will be very painful. If you don't give up, you'll find yourself getting more flexible each week. Good luck. :-)

[Apocalyptic Fish]

I've been doing Taekwondo for about 5 and a half years now, and it only took a few years to be able to do the splits in three ways.

[Jiraya Sama]

(Original post by Apocalyptic Fish)
I've been doing Taekwondo for about 5 and a half years now, and it only took a few years to be able to do the splits in three ways.

How is your round house kick? Reverse kicks? In general high kicks. When you do the splits and then using them with power. Does having the ability to do splits help in these areas. Should I be learning to do the splits prior to kicking ability with strength/power.

Thanks in advance.

[Journeyzap]

Yes - you can get them.

Genetics may determine how fast you will get them, and I guess the pain threshold which you are able to put up with.
I am a bit younger than you, but I am working on my splits and I have definitely had an amazing progression (granted, I am a girl and fairly flexible, but am being coached by someone like yourself).

PM me if you would like advice on how to work on getting the splits.

[Liv1204]

(Original post by Jiraya Sama)
How is your round house kick? Reverse kicks? In general high kicks. When you do the splits and then using them with power. Does having the ability to do splits help in these areas. Should I be learning to do the splits prior to kicking ability with strength/power.

Thanks in advance.

Heya,

Although learning to do the splits is obviously a good sign of flexibility, you should be able to learn to do high kicks even if you can't do the splits. How's your technique for high roundhouses etc in general? E.g. three things to remember are to look above where you're kicking, get your knee up as high as you can, and make sure you're pivoting properly, pivoting is obviously essential for that! I know they sound obvious, but just in case!

There are websites which have good information about flexibility stretches, and just practice is important.

Again, sorry if this sounds obvious, but hopefully it will give you a bit of reassurance, because you can still learn to do high kicks!

[Jiraya Sama]

(Original post by Liv1204)
Heya,

Although learning to do the splits is obviously a good sign of flexibility, you should be able to learn to do high kicks even if you can't do the splits. How's your technique for high roundhouses etc in general? E.g. three things to remember are to look above where you're kicking, get your knee up as high as you can, and make sure you're pivoting properly, pivoting is obviously essential for that! I know they sound obvious, but just in case!

There are websites which have good information about flexibility stretches, and just practice is important.

Again, sorry if this sounds obvious, but hopefully it will give you a bit of reassurance, because you can still learn to do high kicks!

Yeah, my kick's are not so good. Not so flexible, thus trying to get the legs to do splits first. My low kick's are powerful and yet I can't extend my leg's completely.

[master roflcopter]

(Original post by Journeyzap)
Yes - you can get them.

Genetics may determine how fast you will get them, and I guess the pain threshold which you are able to put up with.
I am a bit younger than you, but I am working on my splits and I have definitely had an amazing progression (granted, I am a girl and fairly flexible, but am being coached by someone like yourself).

PM me if you would like advice on how to work on getting the splits.

To a certain extent, yes. But not necessarily. It depends a lot on bone structure etc, you will obviously be able to improve a lot, but some people cannot, and will never be able to do the full splits. I know, as I regularly went to dance lessons for about 13 years, we often did the splits, and although I was able to get better at it, there was a threshold where it was not pain that was the issue, I simply couldn't go any further. Trust me, you'll know if you get to that point, though.

[drummer]

You have to practice various leg stretches first. Stretch the quads, hamstring and calves. Sit on the ground and spread your legs apart. Put your head to your right knee for a couple seconds then left knee then centre etc. After, you can take it easy on front splits and box splits. With some practice you will be able to work your way to full splits

[Holly-Robyn]

I've been doing contortion and acrobatics since I was 3, went pro for three years at 15 then stopped (accident meant I couldn't continue). During my 'career', I travelled to Germany, Wales, Dubai and all sorts of exciting UK locations to perform.... But I STILL can't even touch my toes!!!! Haha!
X


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Jiraya Sama]

(Original post by Holly-Robyn)
I've been doing contortion and acrobatics since I was 3, went pro for three years at 15 then stopped (accident meant I couldn't continue). During my 'career', I travelled to Germany, Wales, Dubai and all sorts of exciting UK locations to perform.... But I STILL can't even touch my toes!!!! Haha!
X


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Thank you and this helps me to do splits how? :/ Thanks for your input tho.

Thank you in advance for all constructive tips.