Hi. I have been taking Tae Kwon Do for almost 4 yrs. My stretching has improved, but not as fast as I would like. When I am cold I can do a roundhouse kick barley to belt level, however when I warm up and stretch I can roundhouse kick over my head. What's the best way to increase my flexibility with no warm up? I would like to be able to do a side split within the next few months. I am currently 10.5 inches off the ground when warmed up. Also after I stretch my mussels tighten up within 10-25 minuets and I loose 25% of my flexibility. How do I stop this from happening?
I've read that you shouldn't do static stretches before dynamic movement. However If I don't do static stretches before class I won't reach an acceptable point of flexibility. Here's my routine for 1 day only
1. Stretch 30 minuets before class and reach maximal flexibility through slits, and front splits.. and other stretches
2. Get to class 15 minuets later and stretch for another 10 minuets (By the time I get to class my mussels are tight again and I have to re-streach them. I generally loose 25% of my flexibility within the 10-15 drive)
3. Before class I have full flexibility
4. 5-10 minuets into class or after a warm-up I loose around 10% of my flexibility and I continue to loose flexibility throughout class
5. After class I can kick (roundhouse kick) a little bit above belt level, when I get home I stretch
-I usually do this 3-4 times a week, on Fridays I really push it on try to increase flexibility. Also my mussels hurt after class (sometimes)
Why do my mussels tighten up so fast? How can I stop this, and how can I increase my flexibility with and without a warm-up?
Thanks,
Steve
Increasing Flexibility, routine question...
TKD Kid:
It's not clear to me if you have any of the stadion products. If your goal is to fix your kicking problems, I would recommend the video Power High Kicks With No Warm Up. Not only does that cover dynamic stretches but also goes into the mechanics of good kicks. If your goal is to do the splits, then you should either get Secrets of Streching or Stretching Scientifically. Either one will tell you everything you need.
As far as you losing flexibility during class and being sore the next day, it sounds like your leg muscles may be too weak. You should incorporate the isometric exercises detailed in Stretching Scientifically.
-Mark
It's not clear to me if you have any of the stadion products. If your goal is to fix your kicking problems, I would recommend the video Power High Kicks With No Warm Up. Not only does that cover dynamic stretches but also goes into the mechanics of good kicks. If your goal is to do the splits, then you should either get Secrets of Streching or Stretching Scientifically. Either one will tell you everything you need.
As far as you losing flexibility during class and being sore the next day, it sounds like your leg muscles may be too weak. You should incorporate the isometric exercises detailed in Stretching Scientifically.
-Mark
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TKD Kid
I think they are definitely worth it. Quite honestly, I'd rather just a couple of bucks to buy something that I know will help me rather than spend hours trying to find some "freebie" information on the web or spend months trying out things myself by trial-and-error which may or may not work. I don't know what your financial situtation is but I think they are all very affordably priced. And if you have any questions on something in the books, you can always ask for clarification here or in Mr. Kurz' email column. That's an "extra" that almost no other book publisher gives.TKD Kid wrote:Hi mark. Thank you for replying. I don't have any stadion products. Are they worth it?
I've been working on increasing my leg strength and working on dynamic stretches. It's become better (mussel tightens), but not much. Anyway any tips or tricks that I should be doing?
Thanks,
Steve
-Mark