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2015 Splits Challenge
This probably seems a bit early to post this but with Christmas and then New Year not being so far away I figured out would be better to do it now as people will likely be online less for a few weeks. This way it’ll give people time to notice this and think about taking the challenge on and planning how they’ll do it.
I decided to set a goal of achieving the splits in 2015, starting in Jan and finishing at the end of August or maybe Christmas for the next Christmas splits challenge. I wondered if anyone would like to join me? It’s a good chunk of time but it should be a nice window for those starting right from scratch instead of trying to achieve it in 4 months and “failing” because our bodies just won’t progress that quickly.
We could post how we plan to achieve the splits, which type, our start point and talk about our journey on the way, even pictures and videos if we wish. It could be an accountability thread too. Hopefully it’ll give people hope and inspiration to see the journey of others and their trials and successes.
I’m totally unflexy and never done the splits in my life and I actually have problems with tight muscles in my legs etc. Maybe there’s other people out there like me who still want to do the splits.
So who’s in? 😀
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241 Replies
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https://www.facebook.com/events/1543145825915486/
get involved!! its an awesome group im doing the challenge at the moment, im so glad they are going to continue after xmas!! =)
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I would love to participate in this with you, Saeth! I have an awful time remembering my splits, and having someone holding me to it (and someone to celebrate my tiny, tiny amounts of progress) would be awesome! Christmas tree splits… for next Christmas 😉
I’m working on all the kinds of splits right now, and I am certainly making some progress with my left and right forward splits, but middle splits are… tough. I’m trying 😉 -
I’m in. I quit stretching for splits a few months ago when I got sick, and never went back to it. I waa nowhere near front or middle splits anyway – I’ve got very tight muscles too Saeth – but the stretching really helped me do fan legs and floor work more comfortably so I want to start again. And 12 months seems a bit more realistic for me to get my splits than a shorter challenge! I’ll do a before pic after Christmas for the record…
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I’m in!! I already started last month and I’m keeping track of my progress with a blog I just started. The blog is to keep track of my progress with pole in general with photos and dates – http://irenepolefit.blogspot.com Right now I’m using 1 block when I do the front splits and I think I can go up to 3 blocks by the end of 2015. On a good day I’m about 3-4 inches off the ground with the middle splits and my goal is to be able to use 1 block. I started taking flexibility classes on skype in October and I can tell I’m progressing so I hope my goals are realistic.
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I’m in!
I actually made this a goal for 2015:)
The last 11 days I’ve been stretching everyday with a video from psychetruth on youtube..
I really want to get my splits in 2015! -
in.
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Can this double as a splits accountability thread….? Cuz I definitely will need to be held accountable 😉
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Im in too..been working on this and not making any progress..
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My left and right at the moment…smh
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I am in too! I can use some accountability partners. 🙂 Getting into my splits is one of my goals for 2015 and I will post a picture by Christmas.
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I’m in too. I just got my splits and then hurt my hip flexors (on both sides… xD), so I lost them again. I want them back. I will only do light stretching for the next few weeks because my muscles still need to heal, but after that I’m all in.
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I sooo want my splits too. I kinda stared in November but fell off so I’m ready to commit again! My milegs high start pics.
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Hi ladies, nice to see so many joining in! I can’t wait to see how it all turns out for us. We’ll make it so the finishing time is Christmas for the next split challenge 🙂 I haven’t started any work on splits as I’m doing the conditioning programme which finishes on the 2nd. I want to achieve the front splits, either side, I’m not bothered, splits are splits!
Lucca, this can absolutely be an accountability thread also. I’m pretty disciplined myself but unfortunately when I fall off the wagon I need about a hundred people kicking at me to get me going again lol.
Oakmama, maybe there are particular areas that are holding back the progress of your splits? Have you used Veena’s split videos, other things or a mixture of both? It would be worth trouble shooting what’s slowing your progress.
Epsilonte, no problem, better to focus on your healing right now 😀 Though how did you hurt *both* flexors?!
I’ll see if I can get some photos of my starting point tomorrow. I’m really excited and it’ll be even more fun and more encouraging knowing I’m not the only one embarking on this!
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Epsilonte, I just want to mention that… sometimes pulled muscles and such can take a really long time to heal. My hamstring (after I pulled on it too much, somewhat repeatedly), took months to heal, and then yet more months to actually respond to stretching in a way that wasn’t hugely painful, and was actually showing result.
Please take it easy, everyone! A year is a LONG time, so it’s important not to push yourself too far, too fast. Injuries can sometimes set you back by years. -
How often should one stretch to really progress and not get injured?
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Well, for flexibility training (which is what we’re talking about, technically), it should be done ONLY when you are super warm. So, after a good workout, or after a really hot shower! Some people prefer to stretch every day, and some only when they work out (I’m more in the latter camp).
It’s not entirely about how often you stretch, but HOW you stretch that is the difference between injury and health. Making sure you know the difference between “feeling a bit of a stretch” and actual pain is key. Not pushing yourself immediately to full-on, hardcore, as far as you can possibly get is important. Usually, I’ll go until I feel the tension in my muscles, wait a bit, focus on relaxing, and once the tension passes, go a bit further (sometimes this means as little as a few centimeters, or even just tensing one muscle) till I feel tension, and continue in that way till the feeling doesn’t pass anymore.
Stretching should NEVER be actually painful. That’s how you injure something.
Also, remember to drink lots of water, and if you’re sore from stretching, maybe ease off a bit. We are technically doing damage that is similar to what we do when we do strength training.Just be gentle with yourself, and remember you gotta be super warm, and not push it to the point of actual pain. 😉
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Count me in, please!
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Saeth: Well… first the right one and then two weeks later the left one… xD One I hurt during a class and the other one while freestyling (i blame it on the split-drop I did). They will get better, they already are a bit better. And my phyisical therapist says it’s fine to stretch *a little bit* and use the foamroller, so that’s what I’m gonna do for the holidays. 🙂
Runemist, yeah, I know, but thanks for reminding me. 🙂 (uhm, that sounds bitter, but it’s meant in a positive way xD) I will be really careful, but I don’t want to stop stretching completely. And of course I’ll stop immediatly if it hurts. If my splits do come back 2015, I’ll be very happy, if they don’t… well, there’s always 2016… 😉
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Alright here we go. I was surprised with how low I got in one of my front splits, middle splits are a mess as usual 🙈
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Note enormously cushy pillow under knee cap…cuz safety first/still a little scared of dislocated knee caps
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Question..when training for this..how long do you hold or stretch when in actual split. Once i do my warm up and all the stretches and finally get to the front split im only there for a few seconds and Im like im done. Should i aim for a minute or longer on each side. What have ppl found to be the most effective length of time to actually hold the split or stretch the split after warm up and stretches?
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Oakmama, that’s a good question! What I’ve heard is that a stretch is most effective, at maximum stretchiness, when held between 30 second and one full minute. Lots of people disagree and agree about this- I’ve heard everything from an hour to 10 seconds. But, I’ve found that the 30-60 seconds range is best for me, it prevents me from getting bored and doing something stupid, and it gives me results!
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In the study I read it was 45 seconds (the time ranges like Runemist said, just distinctly rememver being excited to see a study about stretching) and then it has diminishing value. So most of the benefit happened at 45 and if you continue you’ll still get benefit just not as much (for up to 90 seconds)
Have you checked out veenas stretch video? It’s very thorough and very good. Do you only hold your splits a second because it’s so uncomfortable? If so, you might need to back off a little on the pose so that you’re able to hold it for ~30 seconds. But if your trying to go all out, just hold it for as long as possible and listen to your body so you can hear when it says NOPE!
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Oakmama: I used to receive physiotherapy for tightness in my leg muscles that caused grating kneecaps (ouch) and I had to hold the stretch for 30 seconds, switch sides, then repeat it at least 3 times on each side. If you are finding it very hard to hold a stretch I would ease off. I personally aim for a good stretch where my position is entirely stable and painless but still a challenge. If I can’t hold it for the required stretch time, I’ll back off. I personally find my muscles etc almost get “stuck” or sort of catch, resist or grate and this is a sign for me to ease up because straight after that comes pain! It’s a very small and subtle feeling but I’ve learnt to respect that. That’s my body giving little signs to guide my training 🙂 I’ve personally found holding for 30 seconds, then switching, rinse and repeat a good few times to be absolutely fine. This goes along with Veena’s technique of the first stretch being light, the next one being deeper, then the last being stronger and those are held for 15 seconds or more, typically.
Btw Lucca, dislocated kneecaps O_o I’ll upgrade my knee padding now, that’s really scared me! Also if your middle splits are a mess, mine are just a straddle 😀
Speaking of my splits, I got some pics. I laughed when I saw how bad my middle ones are, my respect for anyone who can do these went up 100%! The front with left leg extended was surprisingly straight especially compared to the right one, weird. Maybe I didn’t push that one as hard, I don’t really remember. Anyway this is my starting point after doing both split stretch videos by Veena;
Front split right leg extended: 10 inches from the floor
Front split left leg extended: 9 1/2 inches
Middle splits: 20 inches (lol!)Thank god I’m not aiming for the middle splits this coming year O_o!
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Im sooo loving this thread!!! Keep it up ladies!!! Thank you for the feedback..Im excited..we should even schedule a skype group stretching day..that would be fun..Maybe we should all aim to post progress pics at least once a month..
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