Increasing flexability

[Allie]

I plan on joining a dance team of some sort, and was wondering about what I can do to increase my flexability? Back in the day when I was a cheerleader and caught for softball I had no issues but now my legs and torso just don't move the same way. I have been stretching on a daily basis and the thought of yoga did cross my mind, but thats just to boring, so I was wondering if you all had any ideas....

[syntekz]

Stretch, stretch, and stretch some more. That's really all there is besides things like yoga.

[Sayiajin Prince]

what MA said, stretch in mourning and stretch b4 sleep
oh yea, it helps to do some stretching

[Tryska]

yeah like the guys said...only way to work on flexibility is to work on flexibility.

[YatesNightBlade]

;)

[ElPietro]

Have patience when you are stretching, it won't happen overnight...make sure you breathe and stay relaxed when you stretch and don't stretch to the point of pain. Dynamix stretching is also very good...so swinging your legs up infront of you, to the side and to the rear will help your hip flexors out.

[Podium Kreatin]

the best way to develop flexibility is to do things that require u to have good flexibility. u may be able to do the splits, but a round kick above head level is developed by practicing to round kick the highest u can. if u want to do just the splits, here's a simple method i used

warm up
go down the splits as low as u can WITHOUT help (if u have assistance, u can go past ur limits, and hurt urself), then let go of arm support and try to "pinch" the floor w/ ur legs (flex ur adductors) for about 30 sec (in the beginning, ur not going to be able to do a full 30sec). do about 3-4 "sets", like once or twice a week. i usually do once a week, after leg day

[Chris Rodgers]

Originally posted by YatesNightBlade
;)


Haha. That's what I was thinking.


Flexibility---> :hump:


You have to practice. So do plenty of stretching and if you need a partner, ;) .

[ElPietro]

Originally posted by Podium Kreatin
the best way to develop flexibility is to do things that require u to have good flexibility. u may be able to do the splits, but a round kick above head level is developed by practicing to round kick the highest u can.

This is what I meant by dynamic stretching (not dynamix, typo). You can actually go a bit further I think with dynamic stretching and I've found it to be pretty effective.

[PowerManDL]

That's exactly how I stretch in between sets.

Stretch to the limit, lightly contract the muscle for about 10 seconds against resistance, stretch it even further, then lightly contract and hold for 15-20 seconds.

[Shocker]

Let me tell you that you can make excellent gains in flexibility when you are warm, such as immediately after an intense cardio session. Try getting super sweaty and then go hardcore on the stretches, works great.

Always make sure that you have warmed up before you try to loosen up.

;)

[IceRgrrl]

Flexibility improves over time...a little bit of stretching each day really adds up. Just be sure to be completely warmed up, like after a workout, or at least after 5-10 min. of some sort of cardio activity. Stretching cold muscles is asking for trouble.

GL!

[ElPietro]

Yeah you definitely get more flexibility after you are warm. If I'm cold I can kick up until about my chin, but after I'm done SLDLs and hammy curls I can get my toes up to the top of my head, mebbe a bit past...

[Reinier]

lols when i read the thread title i was thinking yates started it

[Tryska]

baha...how did i know that was coming??

*lmao*

[Allie]

Well I have been stretching and stretching some more. As for the cardio.... well today I 'm going to make a second attempt to go running (being sick really kicked my butt) so after that I guess I'll do a little more stretching. Not sure if I have the patients for this LOL

[PowerManDL]

I didn't know you were a nurse.

[YatesNightBlade]

Originally posted by Reinier
lols when i read the thread title i was thinking yates started it


I was waiting for your advice Mr No Spine !! lol

[McBain]

stretch

[bignate73]

1.stretch lightly before working out
2.quick range of motion stretches during
3.long relaxation/pnf/myofascial when finally finished working out, ideally after cardio.