Flexibility

[Ritch]

Who here is flexible? My hamstrings just can`t get flexible. I find stretching so boring and have been stretching now for years because I know it`s important but the hams remain tight. What do you guys do? Any toughts? Philosophies to share? I`m stuck.

[HoliTheCat]

I am really flexible for a guy my size. (not the biggest 6/6' 225 or so)

I have to be for jiujitsu - and i just work on it bro. After your cardio just spend 5-10 stretching.

Here are some good examples.

http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/flexibilityexercises/a/hamstingstretch.htm

Keep in mind though - I have heard a lot that stretching out the muscle a lot makes it weaker. Take that for what it's worth.

[Ritch]

^^^ Just learned a few new one`s from that link. Thanks man! Youtube of all places actually has some good ones as well. It`s good because it`s in video and has explanations. Something I just did was stretching but varying my foot position, firt toes up, then foot left, then right. while stretching. Could really feel different fibers being stretched. Some people say to keep a straight back while stretching hamstrings, but I can bareley keep a straight leg if the back is straight, even less bend forward.

I agree with the stretching before the workout can cause a loss of strength, but that would be a hard stretch to cause that. I usually stretch the antagonist in between sets. I will stretch the working muscle before but just lightly, haven`t noticed any loss of strenght. Stretching the antagonist helps the recovering muscle and is good for the cns. Either way it`s something to do between sets. Stretching the muscle hard after all the work sets are done I find is a good way to spurt growth and helps reduce muscle soreness.

[Adonis13]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html?_r=4&oref=slogin

its a good read.

[warlock]

take one or two hot yoga classes a week and you will see progress in less than a month

[faller]

I finally got serious about stretching when i realized my squat was not what it should be because i was so tight. Now i stretch after every workout and i love it!! I use some stretches i found in a yoga book, i get into my "zen" lol, i feel so good after.... And my squat has improved as well.