Flexibility Express gets praise from an unteachable guy–and it is not a good thing….
More than a year ago Flexibility Express DVD got a glowing review I didn’t share. I usually share good reviews on Stadion Publishing’s Facebook and Instagram pages. But not his one, because of a photo the reviewer attached to the review (see the photo below).
Glowing praise but nothing learned … and the photo of him in this useless position proves it
Teachable people who viewed Flexibility Express, or just read my articles on increasing flexibility, will instantly understand what is wrong with what the reviewer is doing in the photo. If you are one of the teachable ones, post your comment.
BTW, the review is posted at the page of Flexibility Express DVD. To see the review, click the Reviews tab, and then click on the same photo–this will bring up the review.
This article is based on the video Flexibility Express.
First, nowhere in flexibility express do you demonstrate going into splits with your feet pointing up. In fact you have previously mentioned in your articles that this is not a stable position. The best way of achieving splits is from a stable squat position, progressing to a 5 step squat and finally the 7 step. Once we reach the floor it is easy to transition to roadkill, front split and feet pointing up. Hope this helps future students.
He did not use the correct hip-thigh alignment. You have mentioned that being in that position is useless and even harmful. There are other positions that make stretches effective and healthy for adults.
The following links provides the correct positioning.
https://stadion.com/test-your-flexibility-potential-for-front-splits-side-splits-and-back-bridges/
Yes, your answer that “he did not use the correct hip-thigh alignment” [taught in Flexibility Express] is correct. But the article you linked, on tests of flexibility potential, is not pertinent to what the reviewer is doing in the photo.
My opinion, and I am merely a “Stretching Scientifically” reader and blog reader. What I’ve gathered is I never saw you sitting back like that, using your hands, taking the challenge of the weight off your legs. One of your main points is that strength is an essential component of active flexibility, and so by using his hands, he is cheating his adductors of the growth necessary to support the flexibility he desires.
What you wrote is true, but it is still not on point. Petar is closer, but no cigar either.
At this point in development of his flexibility, he should be alternating between a split with his feet flat on the floor and moving his hips rearward to the floor. Moving between the two positions will help to build the strength required to achieve the increase in flexibility that is currently lacking.
Your answer shows that you actually applied exercise instructions from Flexibility Express. You did not directly answer my question, though. The question: “What is wrong with what the reviewer is doing in the photo.”
Using squat to split method, he shouldn’t need to use his hands to support his weights this close to the ground and would have developed legs flexibility and strength to support his weight in low straddle position
Yes. So his photo shows that he didn’t use the method taught on Flexibility Express, or used it, but not with enough understanding to benefit from it fully.
Dear Mr. Kurz,
I watched again, and will continue to seek what you are asking the community of students to find. I reviewed the video on “Easy Way to a Side Split” and he is not going “back and down” with his hips/leg, like a low horse stance. His posture (spine, hips, and thus legs) are not positioned correctly. His femur head shape, without rotating the legs forward onto the inside in a supporting position, will bunch up against the upper part of the hip bone.
In “Stretching Scientifically,” you write on page 112 that “you cannot do the side split without combining the outward rotation of your thighs without a forward rotation of your pelvis.” You do discuss how to properly do a toes-up split, but in the photo above there seems to be no tilt of his pelvis at all and almost no outward rotation of his thighs. Is this getting closer, sir?
You are correct and on point.
He actually is in a dangerous position. His weight is supported by his arms only, the legs can’t possibly hold him with the toes up. What’s wrong is that he is just weakening his muscles and ligaments by passively pushing them, rather than teaching them to be safe and strong in that wide position.
The best answer is posted by Juan A at https://tomkurz.com/2022/12/16/flexibility-express-got-a-glowing-review-from-an-unteachable-type/#comment-21494