Rigorous flexibility training

[bobster_ice]

Hi all,

It's been quite a few years since I have done any martial arts of any kind and in recent weeks I have refund my love for TKD.
The problem is, my flexibility is terrible. I would say I am very good at it, as a sport but my flexibility is so restricted compared to what it used to be.

My question is, do you think if I was to warm up and stretch rigorously 3 times a day, would it beneficial for me or would I just be better stretching everything I plan to train ?

Many thanks,

Bobby

 

[Kickboxer101]

Well how did you get your flexibility good thr first time round

 

[dowz]

The beginner's guide to flexibility - Martial Arts Planet

Maybe this will help?

 

[Gwai Lo Dan]

The beginner's guide to flexibility - Martial Arts Planet

Maybe this will help?

I read this tidbit, "But don't try to stretch when you're in the middle of pleasing your lady/man friend as they won't be too happy if you attempt a front split during fornication." I'll have to disagree on that one.

 

[bobster_ice]

Well how did you get your flexibility good thr first time round

It took a couple of years but I wasn't consistent, I just figured maybe I can stretch 3 times a day and try and quickly get flexible but I don't know if I'll injure myself or not doing so.
Thanks, I skimmed through. Seems pretty good

 

[Kickboxer101]

It took a couple of years but I wasn't consistent, I just figured maybe I can stretch 3 times a day and try and quickly get flexible but I don't know if I'll injure myself or not doing so.
Thanks, I skimmed through. Seems pretty good

There's no quick way to do anything well even stretching 3 times a day will probably take a good 2 or 3 to see any noticeable difference

 

[KangTsai]

Hi all,

It's been quite a few years since I have done any martial arts of any kind and in recent weeks I have refund my love for TKD.
The problem is, my flexibility is terrible. I would say I am very good at it, as a sport but my flexibility is so restricted compared to what it used to be.

My question is, do you think if I was to warm up and stretch rigorously 3 times a day, would it beneficial for me or would I just be better stretching everything I plan to train ?

Many thanks,

Bobby

Only tip — if your muscles strain in any degree, don't stretch. I would say four times a week is enough.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Warm up well before stretching. If you have the time available to do a rigorous warmup and stretch three times a day, then go for it.
Stretching cold muscles will not help much.

 

[Earl Weiss]

FWIW I think different people's bodys will respond differently. Listen to what your body tells you vis a vis soreness. My best regimen was to do some warmups befpre bed and then stretch 6 days a week, Soreness in the morning told me there was some result. I don't think most will benefit from 3 sessions vs one good session. Like basic weigtlifing theory your muscles need time to recoup and a few hours is not enough. I don't think it's different that most strength or conditioning issues. Runners don't run long distance more than once a day. Weightlifters don't train the same muscles more than once a day. There is also a danger of njury from stretching and fatiguing muscles and then using them to workout.

 

[oftheherd1]

First, I think your title tells a bad way to stretch. I would say persistent, not rigorous. Rigorous implies to me over stretching. If that wasn't what you meant, sorry.

When I began studying Hapkido, we stretched first, then warmed up with kicks. I can't argue with those who say to warm up first, but some of our kicks required a lot of stretch. I always tried to go a little further every time. I spent a lot of time in pain. But my stretch did improve a lot. YMMV, in fact probably will. Follow the advice above that fits you best, experiment a bit. Master Weiss is I think, right on target. I think it is good advice.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

First, I think your title tells a bad way to stretch. I would say persistent, not rigorous. Rigorous implies to me over stretching. If that wasn't what you meant, sorry.

When I began studying Hapkido, we stretched first, then warmed up with kicks. I can't argue with those who say to warm up first, but some of our kicks required a lot of stretch. I always tried to go a little further every time. I spent a lot of time in pain. But my stretch did improve a lot. YMMV, in fact probably will. Follow the advice above that fits you best, experiment a bit. Master Weiss is I think, right on target. I think it is good advice.

Stretching before warming up actually tends to cause muscles to tighten up.

 

[oftheherd1]

Stretching before warming up actually tends to cause muscles to tighten up.

I know that is the theory for most people. I never heard anyone complain about stretching first when I studied Hapkido. But we had a lot of stretches and then went to kicks.

When in the military and required to run I never warmed up or stretched. I never had a problem with tight muscles. I guess I am just the odd man out.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

I know that is the theory for most people. I never heard anyone complain about stretching first when I studied Hapkido. But we had a lot of stretches and then went to kicks.

When in the military and required to run I never warmed up or stretched. I never had a problem with tight muscles. I guess I am just the odd man out.

Just because you didn't notice the effect doesn't mean it's not there. When I started martial arts, it seems pretty much nobody knew that effect (nor in soccer).

As for running, there's reasonable evidence that stretching before running has minimal benefit for the casual runner (it does seem to provide some performance benefits, which are more notable with competitive athletes), and the real benefit comes from a post-run stretch. You may not have needed either as much as the average person. Someone has to be the one to offset me in the average, and I'm tighter than average around the hips and hamstrings, so maybe you got the natural flexibility I didn't.

 

[oftheherd1]

Just because you didn't notice the effect doesn't mean it's not there. When I started martial arts, it seems pretty much nobody knew that effect (nor in soccer).

As for running, there's reasonable evidence that stretching before running has minimal benefit for the casual runner (it does seem to provide some performance benefits, which are more notable with competitive athletes), and the real benefit comes from a post-run stretch. You may not have needed either as much as the average person. Someone has to be the one to offset me in the average, and I'm tighter than average around the hips and hamstrings, so maybe you got the natural flexibility I didn't.

I did say I was the odd man out in this, and I didn't deny it helps many. For those it helps, they should by all means continue to do it.