pretty_polly Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 I have always wanted to do the splits and I never could be bothered to try and do them never mind learn. Now Christmas is out of the way and New Year is approaching my New Year resolution is to start keeping fit, but I want to know what exercises I can do to help me achieve my goal.....to do the splits! Help, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Yoga, yoga and yoga! Then possibly some martial arts, since their training routine also encourages flexibility. If you aren't a spring chicken then the traditional route of gymnastics isn't likely to be too easy to get into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pretty_polly Posted December 27, 2006 Author Share Posted December 27, 2006 I do a little of aerobics (need to do more!) and I try and do a lot of stretching before and after the exercise. Does that help? What else can I do apart from Yoga or is that the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crayfish Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I know some people who've been successful through martial arts related training. Things like kung fu and taekwondo seem to encourage it, and I've also had something called the 'flexible steel method' recommended, but don't know what it is. My flexibility used to be good but has gone downhill lately (especially hamstrings, for some reason), think it's related to me doing more strength training and putting a bit of muscle mass on... I might work on it a bit too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I've been able to increase my flexibility enormously with yoga, at the same time as increasing muscle mass and tone with gym work- I do spend about 12 hours a week working on it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Eighteen pints of stella, an icy night and smooth soled shoes. Works every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medusa Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I think the intention was for the OP to still be able to walk afterwards Jabber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upinwath Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I was lucky in that I have always been supple but it took 18 months of hard 3 to 4 nights a week training in taekwondo before I got there. My best was past the splits by having a foot on each of two chairs and a lad kicking one away slowly. Not trained in 15 years but I'm still not too far off. When warmed up I can get down to a few inches off the floor on the front splits and a little higher on the side splits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crayfish Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 I'm about at the same level, but used to be better - however I can barely even touch my toes from standing, Something Must Be Done about the hamstrings. Think it's a family thing, my sister mother and grandad all have hamstring problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade65 Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 Hi, To do the splits, train to do the splits...it is as simple as that. If that's your goal, keep trying to do it...boxing, tae kwon do, yoga etc are all superfluous if you want to do the splits...just do it. In and of itself, this ability is pretty pointless, but if it's what you want to do, then good for you. Exercise specificity is the key...... Ade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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