leg stretching machines

SimonMT · Post by **SimonMT** » Aug 27, 2007 18:29

The leg stretching machines, i have the one where you turn the wheel infront of you, are they any good. I've been trying the inner thigh stretch on them for my isometric exercise and there a lot more comfortable than the horse stance.

Turn the wheel until i start feeling a little uncomfortable, tense for 6 seconds trying to force my legs closed, rest for 1, then turn the wheel half a turn, tense for 6 seconds, rest for 1, etc until i get to my max stretch, tense for 30 seconds and then rest for 1 minute and repeat 2 more times.

elskbrev · Post by **elskbrev** » Aug 29, 2007 20:14

Using the machine defeats the design of Kurz' method. Without the deep horseback riding stance, you will not develop sufficient strength to accomplish the side splits or, more importantly, to use in your kicking. In addition, the agonists and antagonists work together to make the stretch work, if you use the horseback riding stance method.

Possibily try using a chair to partially support your weight as you sink into the horseback riding stance in the correct form, but ditch the machine.

Also, pay attention to details. Don't dive into the exercise and overdo the power in the tensions in the early stages, especially if you are strong--you can pull the tendons right off your bones, or make them very sore. Concentrate on deepening your squats first (like sitting in a chair), only widening your stance to 7 steps or more after a deep squat with feet closer together becomes comfortable.

Cindy

SimonMT · Post by **SimonMT** » Aug 30, 2007 13:27

I do a lot of low deep squats with high weight, on the Smith Machine though

, thankyou for the help.

elskbrev · Post by **elskbrev** » Aug 30, 2007 16:41

...which means Cindy didn't know the big picture. Sorry about that. I went back to Kurz' book and found description of isometrics done in conjunction with passive stretching for greater gains than with passive stretching alone, which is what you are essentially doing. (See Ch 2 of Stretching Scientifically.) Maybe I should be asking more questions than I am answering.

SimonMT · Post by **SimonMT** » Aug 31, 2007 17:21

Which page is that on?

mmeloon · Post by **mmeloon** » Sep 12, 2007 13:21

SimonMT wrote:I do a lot of low deep squats with high weight, on the Smith Machine though , thankyou for the help.

Why are you using a Smith machine for your squats?

-Mark

ash_leto · Post by **ash_leto** » Oct 08, 2007 13:21

I have a leg stretcher and I would get on just fine without it. I bought it foolishly thinking it would improve my flexibility (about 6-9 months into starting martial arts). In itself it won't help at all, and Kurz puts that point over quite well when talking about Eatern Block olympians.

However I've not chucked mine way - it has a scale that tells me the angle in degrees between my legs, plus the padded seat is better than the floor!

tyciol · Post by **tyciol** » Dec 06, 2007 00:18

I think stretching machines are interesting, I'd like to try em out. Having an additional tool at your disposal for certain situations is always good.

That being said, you have to respect the ancient horse stance methods. The free stance approach builds more functional stability than just forcing RoM into your hips.