Frustration with both side and front splits

[Moe]

Well until now I have done isometrics for a month and I don't know if I am making progress or its just my self fulfilling prophecy but I still cant get any further in down in the side split and my front splits dont seem to have improved much if anything just a little. I am starting to think that my joints to permit the splits although I tried the test and it seems to be fine. The side split I am stuck at this level of about 15 cm off the ground, now I do isometrics every other day and I believe I am doing them right, I dont do any other types of streches just isometrics, and every now and then I try relaxed to see the progress but that seems to be not working.

Front splits also need about 4 tries of 30 second stretching to just get near 'falt'.

Its very frustrating especially to know that I have been using relaxed stretching since last february, I know that relaxed strecthing is slow but at least I should notice some resutls in 8 months! It seems as if I never even started strecthing! Anyone with similar problems?

[wynnema]

try putting more weight on them. get as low as you can go and then grab some dumbells and hold for a few minutes. wide stance sumo (full) squats helped tremendously with my side splits.

i would say it is a strength issue. do you do general dynamic strength exercises as well as isometric stretches?

[Thomas Kurz]

Well until now I have done isometrics for a month [...] but I still cant get any further in down in the side split and my front splits dont seem to have improved much if anything just a little. I am starting to think that my joints [do not] permit the splits although I tried the test and it seems to be fine. The side split I am stuck at this level of about 15 cm off the ground, now I do isometrics every other day and I believe I am doing them right [...].

Front splits also need about 4 tries of 30 second stretching to just get near 'flat'

Your front split should improve with increased strength of your hamstrings and inner thigh muscles.

Now your side split problem: How many minutes can you stand comfortably in the five-step horse-riding stance with hips below knees?

[Moe]

Thank you for the replies.

I will give isometrics more time and see how my front split progresses.

As for the side split, I can stand in the five-step horse-riding stance with my knees slightly below the hips for about 2 minutes with comfort I can manage another 2 with a bit more difficulty and then my leg starts to shake. I have been using this stance for the isometrics but at times find difficulty at tensing the inner thighs, I need time to find the right muscles to tense.

[Thomas Kurz]

I asked about the stance with hips below knees.

[Moe]

I have difficulty assuming the hip below the knees stance for the first few seconds as I feel limitation and pain in the hips in the first few seconds but then I can manage to stay in that stance for 1 and a half mintues.

[Thomas Kurz]

In martial arts, after a first 6 months of training, you should hold it for five minutes easily. Otherwise, either you are faking your training or your instructor is a phony.