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should you stretch everyday?
My flexibility has improved,I have my side spilts now I’m working on my middle spilts (ugh) and back flexible but I read somewhere you shouldnt stretch everyday because the muscles need time to heal? Is this true?
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10 Replies
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it’s true that when you are intensively stretching to improve flexibility/ splits your muscles need some time to recover like after a workout – pushing too much too often and your muscles will get cranky and you will find the opposite effect to what you hope for!! =P
Having said that…. I started intensive splits stretching Nov 2014 and since then I have stretched at least 5 times a week and I am feeling amazing =) I don’t do a very deep splits stretch everyday, some days it’s very light and easy, just to very gently stretch out any aches or tight bits (esp if I had a good ‘low’ day the previous day). But I definitely notice it now if I don’t stretch for a few days hehe =)
for back stretching in particular ive heard it is good to keep consistency, the back freaks out a bit if you do a deep stretch one day then nothing for a week then two days of light stretch then nothing then 1 day deep again…. so try keep a consistent stretch routine if possible. (i try do just a little bit of backbending each time i stretch splits) ive also heard its good if you can try do it at the same sort of time each day to get your body used to it even more ….. very difficult i know but an interesting point ! =)
If you are not used to it start with deep stretching maybe 2-3 times a week then gradually build up to more, use a foam roller often, make sure you are very hot when stretching, drink looooots of water before and after, and have some protein afterwards (chocolate milk is good!!) – these will help to avoid injury. Above all, listen to your body!! it will let you know if you are pushing too much =) -
Polekat do you have a particular programme you follow? I need to stretch regularly to help my legs and back, but don’t really know where to start.
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i very recently bought ‘Get Bent’ by Fit&Bendy Kristina Nekiya which i am loving, and Veena’s stretch routines are really great.
this group is my secret weapon haha!! :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldwidesplittersnetwork/?fref=ts
so many lovely supportive people, loads of tips and in the ‘Files’ tab at the top there are loooooads of splits stretching resources =) its a closed group so add ‘Christie Danton / Autumn Mosley / Sami List’ as a friend and ask to join =)
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(ignore the multiple posts of hair things hehe its not usually like that its alllll crazy splits and stuff) you set up an album and post your progress pics. Next big challenge starts in APril =) xoxox
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When first getting into a flexibility routine NO, don’t train everyday. 🙂 I have something super helpful I’ve been working on for those who are looking for some structured help with stretching. I’m hoping to have it finished by spring!
For not you’ll find a lot of good information in the stretching and foam roller section of the lessons here 🙂 This sample video might answer some questions you have too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1ZZE2GTBiQ&list=PLyXWQXP3dueofybLatPPuLCbvfSPF2oSF&index=22
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I’ve been stretching pretty much my entire life off and on since I did cheerleading and color guard as a kid so a stretching routine comes pretty naturally to me. That said, I’m still not very flexible, that’s just the way my body is. Anyway, I would suggest going to a few yoga classes. A lot of the stretches I do are straight out of yoga or are very similar and the structure of the class can teach you how to put a flow of stretches together.
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yes definitely agree, yoga is a lovely way to stretch, i go to a weekly class =) most of my best stretch poses are from yoga!
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I love yoga too!
Polekat, the Facebook link in one of your previous posts doesn’t work. I’m curious to check it out. Can you post it again please?
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sorry guys totally missed your message!!! =S
hopefully this link is better :
https://www.facebook.com/events/1543145825915486/
this link is for the next ‘challenge’ starting in April, but you can join the group any time and create your first album (if the link doesnt work you can add ‘Christie Danton’ as a friend she will add you to the group =)
let me know if it works ok ?! =D xoxoxox
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Oh rubbish, I didn’t see the notifications for this post (or any posts at all tbh – I thought everything had gone quiet). I must look so rude! Suddenly I now have an inbox full of the things so time to start wading through lol. I used to be on the worldwide splitters group but left right at the beginning because someone told me it was just a glorified chat room. I’ll add back into it then, thanks Polekat xx
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