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Flexibility training
Hi there ladies! (and some gents)
Was wondering if there are certain factors that can influence your flexibility training? For example, what you eat or how you plan it in with your strength training/poling? I have been taking flexibility lessons for a while now and i have noticed that my frontsplits actually “decreased” a little in the last two weeks.. -
12 Replies
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No idea about food, but I've heard nicotine reduces elasticity so would make you less flexible (hence why it causes wrinkles too).
After a fairly vigorous flexibility training session, it's totally normal to lose a little ground for a day or two afterwards, because intense stretching does cause a little damage to the muscles (in the same way that weight training causes "damage": it's necessary because this is what stimulates further growth). Once you've let yourself recover, you should find that you've improved a little, although it can often be very hard to see due to the variation in flexibility caused by how warm your muscles are, what you've done in the day so far movement wise, and even what time of day you stretch! (Most people are at their most flexible in the afternoon, 2pm or so).
I'm no expert, but my "research" on the matter (and practical experience) seem to indicate that you're best off only doing very intensive flexibiliity training every other day, or at least, not until the muscle group stops being tender. Of course, you could alternate training different parts of the body if you'd rather do something every day, and still do gentle (passive) stretching on the "off" days.
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Awesome answer thank you! It might have something to do with me riding my bike a couple of hours beforeflex training, and i have to admit i have been smoking more lately, due to stress… Another good reason to give it up!
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Vitamin A and B are supposed to be good for flexibility as well as Glucosomine. I know some dancers who drink joint juice which is supposed to be good for those with arthritis. Check out Yoga Body Naturals – they sell a supplement for flexibility – I haven't tried it but I've heard it's good.
Nicotine and caffeine are both bad for you but I know a lot of dancers who smoke to stay skinny – a dancers diet consists of smoking and tea/coffee so while I think those two drug affect flexibility I don't think it's so much so that you wouldn't be able to train to overcome it. This is ust my opinion not basedon any facts, lol!
Another thing about flexibility is that you have to also increase your strength – it takes a lot of strength to do the splits. I had an interesting conversation last night after aerial yoga about it. Not sure what kind of training you're doing but I practice resistance stretching every other day and then do yoga, passive stretching, static stretching on in between days. The foam roller helps at ton too – not sure if you're using one but it breaks up the myofascial tissue and will help you get more flexible – Veena added foam roller lessons here.
Being WELL hydrated will help you too – drink LOTS of water before you stretch – I mean don't water log, and take breaks to drink water while you're stretching.
I think for me – I need a couple of days off a week too – if I just do some kind of stretching everyday I am so sore and get so tight so rest is good for your body too. Also make sure you are stretching all the muscles – calves, quads, all 3 hamstring sections, hip flexors and abductors. Sometimes we only stretch the center hamstring and forget about the inside and outside.
Hope all that helps 🙂 I do resistance stretching with Ottersocks on this board and for foam roller exercises and stretches you can check out Veena's lessons.
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How often are you stretching.? Have you started a new stretch routine? This can tighten things up….could be as simple as stretching too often. Or could be stretching too far…or stretching when the muscles are not warm enough. If your taking the lessons here is some more information about stretching https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4dd66731-eab0-4b4a-aa13-41ad0ac37250
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Stay hydrated and drink enough water. I've heard taking omega oils or something like that might even help. And the others gace good advice too 🙂
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Maybe its timing? The day after an intensive workout I’m usually stiff as a board and it takes another full day to get normal flexibility back, depending on how tight the muscles feel. If I stretch too much during yoga, I’m stiff the next day too.
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Thanks a lot ladies! Very helpful! I will take all of the advice you have given me and see how the next flexibility training goes. I think my problem could have been caused by muscle aches caused by the previous day, plus temporary unhealthy lifestile (usually not the case). Was planning on the foamroller lessons, have to get me a foamroller first 🙂 Thanks for your helpfull answers!
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I can tell a big difference in my flexibility when i make sure to drink lots of water vs. when i dont. H20!
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My chiro told me that pool noodles work just as well as foam rollers. You can cut them to any size and you can find them for 3$ compared to the 30$ that a foam roller will cost.
Just an idea for anyone who wants the benefits on a budget.
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I use pool noodles. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif
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hahaha! Pool noodles and H2O it is!
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Lol pool noodles, that’s a great option!!
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