All-Star Getting Flexible At This Age?

[ShoWStoppeR]

so i'm old lol okay, not old, but yeah, kinda old for a cheerleader. just because of the way my body is built, it's extremely difficult to get and maintain flexibility, so i gave up a long time ago when i decided to stay ground bound and base. well now that i'm in college on a coed team, i have no choice but to be flexible... but the question is, is it possible? i know, nothing's impossible if you put your mind to it blah blah blah lol i'm known for defying the laws of physics when it comes to cheerleading, but is it really truly possible to get flexible at this point? i get that it's gonna hurt lol but when it comes to my problems, pain takes on a whole new meaning....

peace, love, and happy cheering

showstopper

 

[cartwheels&cupcakes]

I'm sure it will be much more difficult, but I would just say warm baths will help. Just take it easy.

 

[Seeker30]

i just started cheering a couple years ago and i never really " stretched." and then they made me stretch this past season and i took stretching classes 2 times a weeks (you WILL be sore) haha but it is possible i did it no time! :D and im a boy. haha i felt as if my body resisted it more haha

 

[keepdreamin]

I think if you just stretch everyday and stay focused on it the flexibility would come to you eventually.

 

[kristenthegreat]

I think we should have an 'adult flexibility reminder' page..One we can all post on to remind those of us who want to maintain/get flexibility (for whatever reason) to stretch every day. We can be our own personal trainers/support team! :D

It's hard for me, because by nature my body is VERY inflexible, which stinks because I love to dance and it's helpful for an actress (my career choice lol) to be flexible. I need to stretch every day, even for a little bit just so my body doesn't get wonky..

 

[happyfeet#12]

You are never too old. I turned 50 last year and started dance lessons in January of this year after losing a lot of weight (80+ pounds). When I began my splits were about 5 inches off the ground. After stretching and working out EVERY SINGLE day, and a lot of Tiger Balm, my splits are completely to the ground on both legs, and I can do a heel stretch with both legs and get my leg to about 5 inches from my face. However, my back is another issue entirely -- I haven't been able to do scale or scorp, only kick back with my leg (like a horse kick).

Just remember to warm up with a lot of cardio before you start stretching. Also, let gravity be your friend. I spent a lot of time on my back pulling my leg to my face.

 

[Seeker30]

wait, cuz this is about stretching. whats the easiest way to stretch for a heel stretch? i havent done that i have my splits but a flyer told me it wasnt that easy!

 

[keepdreamin]

wait, cuz this is about stretching. whats the easiest way to stretch for a heel stretch? i havent done that i have my splits but a flyer told me it wasnt that easy!

Well,that's really all it takes for flexibility but it takes alot of muscle and strength to do when your legs aren't being held that way by the ground.

 

[happyfeet#12]

I'm just talking about gaining flexibility at an "advanced" age. Believe me, while I can pull a heel stretch on the ground, I couldn't pull a heel stretch in the air if my life depended upon it. I have never, ever been and never ever will be a flyer. But increased flexibility is possible with consistent stretching.

 

[Seeker30]

Well,that's really all it takes for flexibility but it takes alot of muscle and strength to do when your legs aren't being held that way by the ground.

oh okay! so my splits would be key. i just have to try and grab my leg now right? lol

 

[keepdreamin]

oh okay! so my splits would be key. i just have to try and grab my leg now right? lol

Yeah and if u put your leg up on a mat and split it will help even more... Practice holding onto something and kicking up a heelstretch and holding onto it for like 15 seconds and increase the length every day u do it.

 

[Seeker30]

Yeah and if u put your leg up on a mat and split it will help even more... Practice holding onto something and kicking up a heelstretch and holding onto it for like 15 seconds and increase the length every day u do it.

thank you so much! :D i just want it for fun of cousre

 

[Aussiekat]

The worst one to work is back flexibility - in winter. Urrrgh. I am the worst at stretching the stretches I need to work on like my abysmal scorp, but I'll happily hyperextend my bow & arrow. And it's so coooold. I'm such a whinger.

Flexibility really can come at any age, you just need to take it slow and consistent. Use a partner, or the inner tube of a bike tyre (go to a bike shop and they'll usually give you punctured, old ones for free which and they provide more resistance than therabands) to pull your stretches.

 

[Ashley]

The worst one to work is back flexibility - in winter. Urrrgh. I am the worst at stretching the stretches I need to work on like my abysmal scorp, but I'll happily hyperextend my bow & arrow. And it's so coooold. I'm such a whinger.

Flexibility really can come at any age, you just need to take it slow and consistent. Use a partner, or the inner tube of a bike tyre (go to a bike shop and they'll usually give you punctured, old ones for free which and they provide more resistance than therabands) to pull your stretches.

Ugh I feel you. My coach this winter said were doing scorpions- I hadnt done one in 2 years, and even then I had never done one until that routine. FML I wanted to cry every practice. Thank god for the adrenaline of competition - it made mine look a lot better than it was.

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

I agree with the warm baths. That's why in PT they always put heating pads on you first- to loosen you up some. When I worked in PT we used the whirlpool constantly for ankle injuries because it made such a dramatic difference in their flexibility during their therapy sessions. Moist heat is fab!!