Stretching for splits - how often?

Retro · 30-Mar-07, 06:07 PM

Simple Question: Is it better to stretch for the splits daily or once every few days?

Do the legs need time to recover after say 30 mins stretching for the splits or would it be ok to perform the stretch daily?

**gymgirl** · 30-Mar-07, 07:05 PM

Hey Retro!

What other sort of training are you doing? I am a former gymnast and we stretched for splits every single day. I was one of the least flexiable and thus had to spend extra time stretching. Just curious about your goal to do the splits...just for fun? Also what kind of stretching are you doing? Are you going as far as you can into a split and holding it? Are you working both sides as well as middle split?

Retro · 31-Mar-07, 02:29 AM

Hi Gymgirl, my weekly training consists of at least 2 gym visits throughout the week (using weights) and on 2 different days going Kung fu. So I'm doing the splits for Martial Arts but would love to be able to do it anyway. =D

To stretch for the splits I spent around 10 minutes warming up (doing all over stretch) then as you say, going as far as I can and holding. I'm aiming to be able to do both splits.

**.V.** · 31-Mar-07, 05:55 PM

In karate training as a kid we did stretching every day. Including working towards a full split.

As I grew up and moved into Kung Fu San Soo we still stretched every day and some did full splits, some did not.

Now as I mix the two arts with bodybuilding/strength type training and try to box, I don't bother. I just stretch after every workout to keep from getting spasms and I'm happy.

Retro · 01-Apr-07, 06:33 PM

^ Welch, did you ever manage to do the splits? (both ways?)
Going to stetch for the splits daily, will see what effect it has in about 2 weeks.

**gymgirl** · 01-Apr-07, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro

Hi Gymgirl, my weekly training consists of at least 2 gym visits throughout the week (using weights) and on 2 different days going Kung fu. So I'm doing the splits for Martial Arts but would love to be able to do it anyway. =D

To stretch for the splits I spent around 10 minutes warming up (doing all over stretch) then as you say, going as far as I can and holding. I'm aiming to be able to do both splits.

nice you should be able to get there. it will be interesting to see how close you get in the two weeks! let us know how it goes.

**.V.** · 01-Apr-07, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro

^ Welch, did you ever manage to do the splits? (both ways?)
Going to stetch for the splits daily, will see what effect it has in about 2 weeks.

Side to side-yes. Front to back-no. Front to back is supposedly easier but even at age 17 it killed my SI joint. The first SI injury was at age 13 and it has bothered me my entire life. That's why even after 20+ years of training I still cannot deliver a decent round kick any higher than the ribs.

**minime** · 02-Apr-07, 06:34 AM

Does everybody have the ability to do the splits if they stretch for them?

I'd love to be able to but I am horribly unflexible : i am many inches away from doing them. If I stetched for them everyday, how long do you think gymgirl it would take me to do them? And are you able to do them again now?

**gymgirl** · 02-Apr-07, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minime

Does everybody have the ability to do the splits if they stretch for them?

I'd love to be able to but I am horribly unflexible : i am many inches away from doing them. If I stetched for them everyday, how long do you think gymgirl it would take me to do them? And are you able to do them again now?

It is tougher for some then others. I personally was not flexibible by gymnastics standards. I could do my left leg splits but not middle and maybe 1-2 i could pull off right leg splits. my coaches made me stretch at home, and one would even sit on me when i was in middle splits to help me get more flexiable (sure hurt, she was not light) I cannot do the splits anymore, but if I worked hard enough at it, I could probably regain the flexibility.

hmmm i have no idea how long it would take to get there, maybe 4-8 months depending on how often you work at it and how hard. Make sure you are warm though before you start stretching for splits! oh another good stretch we did in gymnastics was oversplits. place your front leg (heel) on on something slightly elevated, it gives you a greater stretch in the hammy.