Hopelessly Un-flexible

[CheerPerfy]

I've been stretching for my splits since February, and I'm still do have it. Other girls can go from Doritos to need in 1-2 months. I stretch pretty much every night too. Any advice on what I should do?

 

[Mindi Keyser]

I'm normally unflexible also. But last year I started stretching really good every night and I got my splits in a few weeks, which was awesome for me. What really helps is to get something like a stack of books, a very short stool, or something similar and go into your splits with one of your feet on the stack of books or whatever you decide to use. It really helps. Sorry if you don't understand what I'm saying, it's hard to explain lol.


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[Mindi Keyser]

Also, you should search stretching videos on YouTube, they helped me a lot.


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[SheCheers]

How long are you holding your stretches? Are you warming up first?

Some tips:

1) Don't compare yourself to others, sure way to lead to frustration.
2) Foam roll and/or get The Stick (The Middle Miles: Gear Review: The Stick vs. OPTP Foam Roller)
3) Warm up first, you only need a few minutes. jumping jacks, high knees, etc
4) Hold your stretches for at least 30 seconds and up to 2 full minutes (you can google and see there is a lot of arguments for holding it for various lengths, play with the time and see what works for you).
5) Don't expect immediate results. Take a pic on day one and wait at least 3 weeks before taking another pic.

My cp pretty much stretches 5 days a week just to maintain her flexibility (which isn't that great). It takes a LOT of stretching for her to increase it and that increase is barely noticeable.

 

[Cheerbalance]

It's all about letting go, just let go, and "let go" if you hate the feeling of letting go, then you can always close your eyes and pretend you are somewhere else, yeah I know, the pretend you are somewhere else strategy doesn't work that great :)

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[SparkleSpankies]

My advice is stretch warm and always feel a stretch. I have known many girls who are just not flexible, but they begin to become flexible enough along w/ gain the muscle strength to hold body positions. It's not easy for all, some people are just not made with the bendy gene :-)

But I do agree, let it all go. Don't think about it, go with the counts and one day it will work. You will train your body!

 

[CheerlyHere]

Stretch every night. I believe in holding splits for closer 2 minutes. 30 seconds is too short IMO.

Remember to exhale as you push yourself to go deeper into your stretch.

You can also use a partner to gently push you deeper into your splits, pikes, straddles, etc.

 

[Rachel Alliband]

One thing which helped me to get my splits is to sit up straight, lean back slightly, and think about putting weight onto your bum. This puts more of my weight into the stretch itself, and gravity will bring you down. Don't push too hard though, and remember it is gradual. I've seen a lot of girls get into splits but are leaning forward and no weight is going into the stretch and they don't progress as much as others. Even though I have my splits and my overstretch, I still find scorp difficult because my back isn't naturally bendy. But I get a t-shirt, or a dressing gown belt, and put it round the back of my ankle and use that to pull my stretch until it's high enough to use my hands. Hope this is helpful! :)