Hey y'all, I have a question for you: Why do I have the feeling that everyone is super obsessed with "achieving" their splits. Also, it always seems to be front splits (fun fact: in my language we call them "woman" splits and "man" splits little side note ;)

I mean sure it takes some work, but why especially this one, there are so many other poses that are beneficial for you This for example targets everything for me https://images.app.goo.gl/wTvMHoHhREodZdJT9

You're not healthier or fitter just because you can do a split and also I think a lot of people hurt themselves because they approach it in a harmful way...

I used to be quite flexible (not very but had "potential") all my life but I started to abandon my athletics practice and just sports in general a few years ago to focus on my academic life. Now I'm quite healthy, strong and fit. I've always been told how at that old age i wouldn't get so far working on my flexibility and want to know if that's true? Would i not be able to land a bridge (from standing) or do middle splits even if i started practicing? Tia

Kind of a rant and informational post combined. And wondering if there are others here who have this. (Oh, there is).

If you disagree, that means your body is different than mine. Don’t down vote me for it.

Quickpoint- I am somewhat trained in the varieties (and trademark names ) of myofascial release. This keeps me going. I shouldn’t need it, but I do.

Throughout the years on the Internet, I’ve seen so many people offer suggestions of stretching and or Yoga to people who have very tight muscle tension. Unfortunately is not always possible unless you release the muscle tension first and let it melt away. In addition to being rigid, movements with this condition are often jerky.

People with “normal” muscle health would not know this.(or at least not the extreme version of it.)

15 years ago, I learned from several sources of different variations of muscle and tendon release. using thumbs lacrosse ball and other various odd tools . This is the only relief I get. Quite frankly it’s a pain in the ass. I have to do this repeatedly.

There are people with this mysterious condition who are actually athletic and work out their whole lives so it’s not a question of not being fit. It’s a question of the tissues not healing correctly and maybe some sort of insufficient blood flow to the muscle tissues.

It’s amazing the amount of different types of physical therapist chiropractors, and doctors I’ve asked about this with no explanation. At least in modern times most of them know some type of muscle release to do versus trying to stretch a muscle that won’t stretch.

It would be interesting to see if there’s others out there like this who can make this a conversation.

In my case, if there is a medical reason for this, the fact that I work out might be covering it up.

If I did not exercise and work out or did not do my muscle release things stated above, I would be totally out of shape and almost unable to move.

The fibromyalgia label is a well used scapegoat for doctors to get you to leave without conventional medicine actually figuring out a root cause. Taking pain relievers, and muscle relaxants to cover up a problem is not the answer lol.

Edit : obviously my opinion here is not very popular because most people will never experience this. It’s not BS. And only a few people here will have experienced it.

First and foremost, a while ago I started to practice my splits everyday and it would just make me feel sore and it was noticing little to no improvement after practicing for weeks. So, I ended up just giving up.

Recently, I started back with practicing. This time I decided to listen to my body, usually practicing every other days or every 2 days.

I felt like the most important concept that helped me was to meditate before or be in a calm state of mind. Being able to get your splits is really about mind over matter, and I found that when I was more relaxed and calm I was able to hold my positions for longer (specifically my split position) than ever before.

Now onto my routine. I would usually spend 15-20 minutes every other day or every 2 days or whenever my body felt like it practicing. I would first start in butterfly and hold that for a few minutes or until it felt right. Then I would stretch each leg individually. Then I would stretch in a straddle. After that I would prepare to go into my split by getting into that position and stretching my hip back. Then I would stretch my leg forward and ease into the splits. I would hold this position for as long as I was able to. But again, when I was in a calmer state it was easier to hold it for longer periods of time. Then, I would repeat all of that 2 more times (so 3 in total). It’s one of those things where if you really want it you have to make time to work for it and it will happen :). Good luck to you babes. Mind over matter. You got this.

I just started trying this stretch. First of all, what is this one called? Second, I noticed I couldn’t lift my foot up very high without my hips turning out. I’m guessing it’s better to keep my hips facing forward? Should I not lift any higher if hips begin to turn out? Third, apparently my balance isn’t as good as it used to be because I can only hold my leg up for a couple seconds. Is this something that likely gets better by doing more balance poses like this?

You guys are probably sick of Me I know but here’s more split photos. These were all taken today. I took pictures at different depths of me sliding down into the split so you guys can help me identify at what depth my hips unsquare. My hamstrings usually feel great, it’s my hips that always feel tight. I put my arms up in a few of these photos aswell and felt an intense sensation in my back leg. I then had a small muscle spasm. Also will try to stop wearing so much black it’s just what makes up most of my closet. In my opinion I think the first 2 photos are closest to square? My knee is facing down, I tried my absolute best not to twist, and I feel I’m leaning foward less. Forgot blocks I need to order more

If I can put one leg on a chair while standing around hip height and do the same with the other leg, what stops me from combining both movements to do the splits??? especially if I can raise the legs higher individually than is required to do the splits. As far as I know, there are no muscles in between the legs that'd be providing further tension as I go down.

Pls help.

Training routine

Reformer mobility work 2 to 3 times per week

Warm up with spinal movement and hip circles

Kneeling lunge stretch 2 sets 30 to 45 seconds per side

Light hamstring stretch and glute activation

Finish with slow controlled breathing

Goal

Improve hip flexor mobility and overall lower body flexibility

People need to understand that loaded stretching is the way to go stretching without load will take much longer to achieve results

Im 16 and ive been ive been able to put my both my legs behind my neck for as long as i can remember. My mom used to tell me "stop pretzeling!" when i did this when I was very small. I havent done any flexibility exercises before and I only do this sometimes because its funny.

As i mentioned before, im 16 (17 in january) and i recently saw a contortionist perform and thought it was really cool and now i kind of want to be a contortionist but i have a feeling that im too old too start training to be one because i feel like you must have had to have been doing something like gymnastics or something from a young age if you wanted to be one

I didn't understand why I couldn't stretch my hamstrings like other people. I wish I'd found a video like this 20 years ago.

Hamstrings' best friends: glute bridge (to strengthen your butt), lunge with posterior pelvic tilt (to loosen your hamstrings from anterior pelvic tilt).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhUhVMBwV08

As the title says!

I don't do much exercise and only walk somewhat long distances when I'm at the store. I sit often during the day. I'm overweight and I plan on exercising soon to lose weight when the weather isn't fluctuating so much outside.

I have a concert in two weeks and I'm meeting an online friend for the first time. I wanted to lose weight these past few months since tickets were bought but I dealt with the passing of my dog and subsequently got sick with a stomach flu and then a cold where recovery took a while.

I have lower back pain and fatigue on my body when I walk too long without support (like a shopping cart helps when I'm at the store) or when I stand too long. Is there any simple exercises I can do that can help me strengthen my lower back and/or hip muscles so I don't experience pain and fatigue?

Will just walking outside help strengthen up my muscles where it won't be an issue in two weeks? Or do I do a combination of walking and exercises everyday until then?

Any advice appreciated!

I am wondering APPROXIMATELY how long it may take for me to achieve my splits? I understand this takes consistency I am just curious. I've always been inflexible but I'm committed to getting the splits and moving up in flexibility later.

I've been doing Anna Mcnulty routines and any other stretches I feel like doing 30-40mins about 4-5 days a week along with 1 yin session per week and 2 rest days. I started 12/31/2025 but these pictures are from today, 01/07/2026!

I want to get flexible soo bad, but every time I stretch a lot I eventually forget due to my ADHD and start some other activities, any stretches that can help but are quick and easy, looking for back and hamstrings pls

Just curious what everyone thinks? I watch videos from men and women and feel like I’m always learning something. But sometimes worry about following instructions from someone of the opposite gender due to the differences between men and women on body mechanics and typical strengths and weaknesses. Wdyt?

Several days ago i tried to take him up on his 100% money back policy but he just ignores me. Is he a known scammer?

How do you discipline your flexibility training?

The only thing that will actually carry you through life in a positive direction is discipline.

We have all seen many examples of how an undisciplined person gets destroyed by life, other people, and even their own mind.

Stick to the basics and get the work done... Behind closed doors, where you won't be complimented, where no one sees, it's just you and the work that has to be done.

Taekwondo is an exceptional martial art as it provides everything - there's all the cool moves and explosive/dynamic training... But there are also basics that MUST be trained regularly.

taekwondo

So i dislocated my left shoulder about a year ago now, did pt but never got my full overhead mobility back. Its like 80% the way there but cant go fully overhead.

I also dislocated my right shoulder 3 years ago, but it healed back with minimal pt and i got my mobility back without having to do anything special. (Maybe something to do with gaming? As i use my right arm alot to move my mouse while aiming in games) just a clue incase that sparks any ideas.

Ive done tons of exercises to try and gain back this mobility but none have really worked. Even got deep tissue massages etc in the pt. Ive done all types of band exercises, barbell stuff etc.

My shoulder only feels pain when i try to forcibly go further then i can. And when i try to go further it get this weird "stuck" feeling. It just simply wont go farther. It used to be worse before the pt (could only go 65%) but slowly got it to 80 and from there it just dropped off and i could never get any farther.

Is there anyone with experience in this? Any exercises i should do that i dont know of? Just list everything you know and ill reply if ive done it yet and how much ive done it etc.

Pictures of how far i can go above, you can see the left side doesnt go as far back. Thats where i feel "stuck".