Hyper-extended legs....Does anyone else have them?

RebelRaiser started this discussion · 7/29/2015

Hey guys, among the plethora of random questions I always have, I wanted to know if anyone else besides myself has legs that hyper-extend? I have had this since my early childhood and ballet days, where my knee ligaments are allegedly looser than normal, so my legs appear to hyper-extend, thereby giving the appearance that they curve backwards. Am I the only person who has this? If not, has anyone seen this to be an issue regarding stretching or any other activities involved in poling? Just curious.

9 replies

CatsEyes · 7/30/2015
I have hyper extended legs, I don't have any problem at all regarding pole dancing but I notice I can stretch deeper if I don't hyper extend them. It feels like my legs are bent but when I look in the mirror they are straight and normal, so I force myself not to hyper extend and I can go deeper in the stretch especially with things like pikes or toes touching !
I polekat I · 7/30/2015
i notice this as well, particularly stretching for my middle splits.... sometimes i look back at the pictures and i can see lots of the stretch is coming from my knee not my hip =/ you have to be careful to engage the muscles at the top of your leg to protect your knee , and not push too much into the stretch as your knee will take the brunt =)
RebelRaiser · 7/30/2015
Thank you for the replies, CatsEyes and polekat! I will consider what you both have said regarding stretching! :)
KuriKat · 7/30/2015
One of my legs does that still. Like you, my knee joints have easily hyperextended since I was kid. However, I broke my left knee in a bicycle accident several years ago and the cast/brace only allowed movement between 180 degrees and 90 degrees, so now the left knee will never hyperextend. I don't think it's a big issue for pole as long as you're not putting too much pressure on a hyperextended knee joint in any poses. My contortion instructor has told me to avoid hyperextending the right leg when practicing splits though, so I focus more on my hip/hamstring mobility, for similar rational as what CatsEyes describes.
Yayo · 7/30/2015
I don't have hyper-extended legs but I have hyper-extended arms. Once I did a handspring and it over extended my arm. I heard a pop. It was hurting me for a while. Had to wrap it so it won't do it again. Wasn't something I can control. Would just say to be careful.
XxMyztikxX · 7/30/2015
Ooo I have hyper extended arms as well. Handsprings use to be an sometimes are still very scary if not held strongly. I have a video on my page showing how it is for me sometimes with handsprings.
Yayo · 7/30/2015
XxMyztikxX - I have on both arms! :0 so scary for sure!!
RebelRaiser · 7/30/2015
Thanks for the replies, guys! MY dad just had knee surgery and so for whatever reason, something that has always been nothing to me has really got my attention now. That and it can look a little odd! I appreciate all of your contributions. :)
sharon5star · 3/1/2026
I have hypertension in my legs too. So I have difficulty put my feet over my head in pike. Thanks I try your suggestion.?