Flexibility - improving it
Discussion
Been doing martial arts for about 8 months (aged 47 btw) and don't have any problems getting high front kicks but I'd really like to improve my ability for height at round house, side kicks etc. - currently achieving about 5ft but as I'm 6'3" that's not saying a lot. I do moving stretches, static/moving and static in that order pretty much every day but it's all related to what I've learnt at class.
Youtube doesn't really deliver the goods, some stuff but pretty brief. Any good guides, DVD or useful links? Having seen that video of that woman who can do vertical side kicks that's the goal..
Youtube doesn't really deliver the goods, some stuff but pretty brief. Any good guides, DVD or useful links? Having seen that video of that woman who can do vertical side kicks that's the goal..
I asked at my local gym about yoga classes. They asked me how flexible I was. I said I could only do Tuesdays.
Every day, do a 5 minute leg warm up, then sit in different splits positions (eg box) as low as you can go and hold it for a minute.
For bonus PH points, after a bath (so you're nice and warm) do it naked in front of the wife. Record her face and stick it on YT.
Every day, do a 5 minute leg warm up, then sit in different splits positions (eg box) as low as you can go and hold it for a minute.
For bonus PH points, after a bath (so you're nice and warm) do it naked in front of the wife. Record her face and stick it on YT.
Hoofy said:
I asked at my local gym about yoga classes. They asked me how flexible I was. I said I could only do Tuesdays.
Every day, do a 5 minute leg warm up, then sit in different splits positions (eg box) as low as you can go and hold it for a minute.
For bonus PH points, after a bath (so you're nice and warm) do it naked in front of the wife. Record her face and stick it on YT.
Think you'll need more the a 5 minute warm up at age 47. Recommendation is that you don't try the splits until 15-20 minutes of activity (no sauce so probably made up) on the subject of your kicks (mawashi, yoko and urshiro?) practice the kicks themselves and the height will come. Without knowing anything about your weight and build its probably leg strength that's lacking (as it is for all of us) if you can practice the mae, kokomi, mawashi, urshiro geri combo or walk up and down the room doing mae geri, mae-ashi geri and one of the above 4 kicks. Soon builds up leg strength which means you can get your leg up to a good height. Good luck (I'm still stuck kicking a high chudan)Every day, do a 5 minute leg warm up, then sit in different splits positions (eg box) as low as you can go and hold it for a minute.
For bonus PH points, after a bath (so you're nice and warm) do it naked in front of the wife. Record her face and stick it on YT.
What martial arts are you doing, roundhouse kicks for something like Muay Thai are a lot different than Tae Kwondo kicks.
You want lots of dynamic stretching during the warm up, practice the kicks over and over against a good, solid bag and push the height a little higher as you go through the session and then some relaxed stretching for warm downs.
You want lots of dynamic stretching during the warm up, practice the kicks over and over against a good, solid bag and push the height a little higher as you go through the session and then some relaxed stretching for warm downs.
Regiment said:
What martial arts are you doing, roundhouse kicks for something like Muay Thai are a lot different than Tae Kwondo kicks.
You want lots of dynamic stretching during the warm up, practice the kicks over and over against a good, solid bag and push the height a little higher as you go through the session and then some relaxed stretching for warm downs.
Tang Soo Do. Seems pretty effective, lots of power coming through the use of the hips, seems more technical than the Shaolin Kung Fu I did many years ago.You want lots of dynamic stretching during the warm up, practice the kicks over and over against a good, solid bag and push the height a little higher as you go through the session and then some relaxed stretching for warm downs.
I normally do a dozen front kicks on each leg (not swings) starting at hip height, twelve side, twelve rear and then twelve more of each twice at 75% high and then full height. Front kicks my knee can touch my shoulder (32" waist) - it's the side kicks that are lacking. Interesting about the splits - I think that's a rout I need to take.
Been practicing repeating kicks but lack a bag. Think I need to sort one. Asked on here about a B.O.B as I really fancy one but most people came down on the side of a heavy bag.
dfen5 said:
Been practicing repeating kicks but lack a bag. Think I need to sort one. Asked on here about a B.O.B as I really fancy one but most people came down on the side of a heavy bag.
Didn't see the BOB question - if you can hang a bag then do it. With enough training, you'll be able to move the standalone bags around and it's annoying.You might be interested in a look at http://www.elasticsteel.net/
Paul Zaichik's site. I've a DVD from him + you can subscribe to email updates/ads/snippets (very regular!) which often feature video clips. He is incredibly flexible and has worked with a lot of martial artists so maybe something of use there...
From the website:
Who is Paul Zaichik?
Paul Zaichik is an exercise science expert. His specialty is flexibility training as well as body weight conditioning. His innovative method is designed to have a maximum carry over into specific athletic techniques. A large part of his talent is to assess an athlete and quickly understand what kind of training is needed for optimal techniques. Paul is the author of Books and DVD’s on the topic of flexibility, martial arts and bodyweight training.
Over the years, Paul Zaichik has worked with a variety of individuals including athletes, entertainers, and military personnel. His ElasticSteel Method of Athletic Conditioning programs are used world wide by both professional and amateurs with great success.
Paul Zaichik's site. I've a DVD from him + you can subscribe to email updates/ads/snippets (very regular!) which often feature video clips. He is incredibly flexible and has worked with a lot of martial artists so maybe something of use there...
From the website:
Who is Paul Zaichik?
Paul Zaichik is an exercise science expert. His specialty is flexibility training as well as body weight conditioning. His innovative method is designed to have a maximum carry over into specific athletic techniques. A large part of his talent is to assess an athlete and quickly understand what kind of training is needed for optimal techniques. Paul is the author of Books and DVD’s on the topic of flexibility, martial arts and bodyweight training.
Over the years, Paul Zaichik has worked with a variety of individuals including athletes, entertainers, and military personnel. His ElasticSteel Method of Athletic Conditioning programs are used world wide by both professional and amateurs with great success.
Edited by AnonSpoilSport on Sunday 16th June 22:54
Hoofy said:
dfen5 said:
Been practicing repeating kicks but lack a bag. Think I need to sort one. Asked on here about a B.O.B as I really fancy one but most people came down on the side of a heavy bag.
Didn't see the BOB question - if you can hang a bag then do it. With enough training, you'll be able to move the standalone bags around and it's annoying.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff