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Mobility/Flexibility-- splits
6 year(s) ago • 1288 views • 4 replies
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hey guys,
I've been working on my mobility during COVID-19 and I'm a little unsure what the realistic goals are in terms of flexibility. I've never been the most flexible person and I definitely take positives out of working on the mobility and flexibility in terms of feeling stronger in the end ranges, etc. however I'm not sure if I'm kidding myself in working on it to the point of working toward splits they just aren't going to ever happen.
Do any of you have experience working toward the splits in your 30s without prior ability to do it?
Thanks,
Brad
I've been working on my mobility during COVID-19 and I'm a little unsure what the realistic goals are in terms of flexibility. I've never been the most flexible person and I definitely take positives out of working on the mobility and flexibility in terms of feeling stronger in the end ranges, etc. however I'm not sure if I'm kidding myself in working on it to the point of working toward splits they just aren't going to ever happen.
Do any of you have experience working toward the splits in your 30s without prior ability to do it?
Thanks,
Brad
TPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Depends on the individual.
I started BJJ in my 30s as a very stiff, sports-avoiding entity. Few years down the line my lower back got quite bad, which I thought might have something to do with my steel-wire hamstrings & inner thighs.
I decided to do, and did, yoga-style mobility exercises practically every day for a full year. It helped with my back problems and opened my hips to a significant extent, which has helped a lot with both playing guard and lifting weights.
However, I noticed no difference in hamstring & inner thigh flexibility after a year of daily work, although I targeted backbody (and hips) specifically.
I can still open my legs only to about 90 degrees and already that is pushing it. I cannot raise my foot to hip height standing. Anything close to full splits are not gonna happen to me, no matter what. It was totally worth it tho for the improved hip flexibility.
By the way, thanks to BJJ and the mobility exercises, I’m more mobile & flexible at 38 than I was at 28 or 18. Which is not very. :D
I started BJJ in my 30s as a very stiff, sports-avoiding entity. Few years down the line my lower back got quite bad, which I thought might have something to do with my steel-wire hamstrings & inner thighs.
I decided to do, and did, yoga-style mobility exercises practically every day for a full year. It helped with my back problems and opened my hips to a significant extent, which has helped a lot with both playing guard and lifting weights.
However, I noticed no difference in hamstring & inner thigh flexibility after a year of daily work, although I targeted backbody (and hips) specifically.
I can still open my legs only to about 90 degrees and already that is pushing it. I cannot raise my foot to hip height standing. Anything close to full splits are not gonna happen to me, no matter what. It was totally worth it tho for the improved hip flexibility.
By the way, thanks to BJJ and the mobility exercises, I’m more mobile & flexible at 38 than I was at 28 or 18. Which is not very. :D
Edited 6 year(s) ago
BNPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Good information. I will continue to work on it while I have the time due to COVID-19 lockdown I suppose it can't hurt. The more I think about it, the more I think the hopes of JCVD-esque splits escapades are probably not in the cards, though.
JMBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Good information. I will continue to work on it while I have the time due to COVID-19 lockdown I suppose it can't hurt. The more I think about it, the more I think the hopes of JCVD-esque splits escapades are probably not in the cards, though.
Some of us are just destined to crush from top.
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Good information. I will continue to work on it while I have the time due to COVID-19 lockdown I suppose it can't hurt. The more I think about it, the more I think the hopes of JCVD-esque splits escapades are probably not in the cards, though.
Yeah: I file stuff like that under "nice to have, but not essential." In taekwondo, being able to do the splits makes some kind of sense, but in BJJ, there doesn't seem much point taking it to that level. Which is one of the reasons I doubt I'll ever bother spending much time on 10th Planet: plenty of legit technique, but seems too reliant on physical attributes (especially flexibility) for my priorities.
I used to do a TKD-esque martial art back in the day, so I was also interested in working towards the splits back then. Now, while there is still a 13 year old me wanting to cosplay JCVD splits, 39 year old me really can't be arsed with putting in that much effort. ;)
I used to do a TKD-esque martial art back in the day, so I was also interested in working towards the splits back then. Now, while there is still a 13 year old me wanting to cosplay JCVD splits, 39 year old me really can't be arsed with putting in that much effort. ;)
