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Increase flexibility

post #1 of 17
12/24/09 at 10:08am
Thread Starter 
Hey gang,

I'm looking to greatly improve my flexibility as one of my New Years fitness goals.

Does anyone here have advice about any exercises and or disciplines that might aid in my quest for an overall more flexible body?

If it helps, my height is 5'7 and my weight is 134....I'd be greatly interested if there were any particular programs that might be good for my h / w class.

Thanks!!
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post #2 of 17
12/24/09 at 11:04am
It's pretty hard to beat yoga for flexibility.

I try to work 1/2 hour of yoga in as a daily discipline; it's fairly easy to get started since most gyms have a yoga class, and there's a plethora of websites and DVDs to get one started.

DH
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post #3 of 17
12/24/09 at 4:59pm
+1 YOGA is great stuff. Very difficult at first but after a few sessions you'll start to enjoy it (sort of). You'll gain flexibility, balance, and strength.
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post #4 of 17
12/24/09 at 5:31pm
You can't.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/1...is-stretching/
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post #5 of 17
12/24/09 at 7:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by haganah View Post

cliff notes please?
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post #6 of 17
12/24/09 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thewallychamp View Post
cliff notes please?

"try to increase your hamstring flexibility... to avoid injuring yourself while... exercising.... proper technique is important to avoid injury."
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post #7 of 17
12/24/09 at 9:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by underwearer View Post
"try to increase your hamstring flexibility... to avoid injuring yourself while... exercising.... proper technique is important to avoid injury."

much obliged. due to the fact the poster had said "You can't" and followed it up with a NYT editorial I was under the impression that the ensuing article was going to be some overly worded suggestion that it is not possible to increase flexibility. Which is why I decided against reading as that would be rah-tarded.
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post #8 of 17
12/24/09 at 10:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thewallychamp View Post
much obliged. due to the fact the poster had said "You can't" and followed it up with a NYT editorial I was under the impression that the ensuing article was going to be some overly worded suggestion that it is not possible to increase flexibility. Which is why I decided against reading as that would be rah-tarded.

well yeah that is what it says basically. Flexibility is genetic, and it would take many hours and years of working at it for a very little gain, so its pointless to even try yada yada yada...But I find that doing yoga did increase my overall flexibility and strength which in turn reduces the risk of injury, just like the article concludes.

It is interesting that it says the pain one feels when they first start stretching which keeps one from stretching further goes away after some time not because one is becoming more flexible but because the brain stops sending the pain signals, or something like that...
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post #9 of 17
12/25/09 at 8:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thewallychamp View Post
much obliged. due to the fact the poster had said "You can't" and followed it up with a NYT editorial I was under the impression that the ensuing article was going to be some overly worded suggestion that it is not possible to increase flexibility. Which is why I decided against reading as that would be rah-tarded.

Quote:
Originally Posted by underwearer View Post
well yeah that is what it says basically. Flexibility is genetic, and it would take many hours and years of working at it for a very little gain, so its pointless to even try yada yada yada...But I find that doing yoga did increase my overall flexibility and strength which in turn reduces the risk of injury, just like the article concludes.

It is interesting that it says the pain one feels when they first start stretching which keeps one from stretching further goes away after some time not because one is becoming more flexible but because the brain stops sending the pain signals, or something like that...

Yeah I wouldn't want an incredibly short article citing studies to get in the way of the nonsense you believe so no worries.
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post #10 of 17
12/25/09 at 10:08pm
i just do quick stretches every morning when jumping out of bed....i heard if you continue for a few months it helps with flexibility quite a bit
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post #11 of 17
12/28/09 at 2:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by needadvice View Post
Hey gang,

I'm looking to greatly improve my flexibility as one of my New Years fitness goals.

Does anyone here have advice about any exercises and or disciplines that might aid in my quest for an overall more flexible body?

If it helps, my height is 5'7 and my weight is 134....I'd be greatly interested if there were any particular programs that might be good for my h / w class.

Thanks!!

yoga
pilates
gymnastics
be active

it's not easy so just shut up and do it.
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post #12 of 17
12/28/09 at 6:40am
After 15 years of martial arts, I can tell you that while flexibility is definitely easier for some (genetics), it can be obtained by almost anyone who's willing to put in the work. A few tips: 1) Only stretch when warmed up. You should be sweating before you start stretching. I prefer to do most of my stretches after a run as part of my cool-down. 2) Stretch muscles individually before stretching them as a system. As an example, do a calf stretch, a hamstring stretch, and a quad stretch before you start doing dynamic front-splits stretches. 3) Do a combination of dynamic and static stretches. an example of a static stretch is reaching down, touching your toes, and holding it. An example of a dynamic stretch is swinging your leg up. 4) Do your static stretches for a 30 count. Don't rush yourself, you might even want to do your routine twice. A good stretch session can take 20 minutes or more - don't rush it. 5) Don't forget to stretch your back/neck muscles. Ultimately, stretching is like many other things in life - you do the work diligently, and you'll get your results. Also, if you stop stretching for a long enough time, you can lose your flexibility (I'm a perfect example... bah). Hope this helped - if you have any specific questions or goals I'd be happy to give some more insight.
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post #13 of 17
12/28/09 at 6:56am
Yoga my boy!
They also sell certain herbal potions that you consume that are supposed to aide in flexibiblty during yoga as well though i cant personallya ttest to their effectiveness having never tried them myself!

Good ole stretching works too just keep at it and youll see an improvement.
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post #14 of 17
12/28/09 at 12:27pm
+1 on warming up. I think this is more important than stretching. (I do jumping jacks for 30 seconds or so) Also static vs ballistic stretches, ballistic being huggers or shakers-do both. And I read that if you're gonna stretch do it for a full 30 seconds for not stretching long enough is somehow worse than not stretching at all...not sure about all that but I hold all mine for a full 30 count anyway.

I used to stretch after I ran but I don't always do that and I don't notice any difference, but I only run 3-5 miles a pop.
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post #15 of 17
1/1/10 at 9:50pm
+1 for Yoga And apparently it's true that flexibility is a genetic thing.
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