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Did you ever become stiffer dispite continous stretching?
I got a question on YT from somebody I don't know. She's not a poler but has been stretching for splits and gotten them rather quickly (I think she's a year or two younger than 20). However, now she says that she stopped improving even if she has continued doing her stretching routine and took a break. After the break she was looser again and gained more flexibility. But now she's obviously feeling that she's getting stiffer again and wonders if she should take a longer break…
Personally I have never experienced this happen, so I don't know what could be the reason to the lost flexibility. The only thing I can think of is injuries, like pulled muscles, but she doesn't say anything about that.
Is there anyone of you who have been through the same? Why do you think it happened and how did you solve it? Thanks in advance:)!
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3 Replies
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I have heard this complaint pop up several times before. The common culprits seem to be:
-Stretching too far
-Flexibility training too often (as in everyday)
-Flexibility training when the body isn't ready (not warming up enough)
-Poor Technique
For the purpose of the lessons here I use 2 terms. Stretching and Flexibility training.
Stretching is gentle and is meant to MAINTAIN your flexibility. And it can be done pretty much anytime. Don't bother using stretching as a WARM UP! Its NOT a useful "warm up" Plopping down to do static/holding stretches as a warm up or before working out, had been shown to do nothing. Stretching is a great after you've done your workout and would like to "remind" the muscles to lengthen and relax after all their hard work! These are done without pushing to the limit!, you are focusing on maintaining.
Flexibility training, you're using stretches to Improve flexiblity, like working towards achieving the splits. These sessions are intense and you are pushing yourself, there for you NEED a rest day to recover.
Professionals who dance, their bodies become accustom to the work load, and you may see them training everyday. But this will often come with a price as well, if they do not allow their bodies down time later on. Injury due to overuse is very common for pro dancers, gymnasts ect.
Our bodies NEED time to recover! I cover all of this info and more in my stretching lessons if you or anyone else is interested. https://www.studioveena.com/lessons/view/4dd66731-eab0-4b4a-aa13-41ad0ac3725
We are all different and some will find they need more rest and others can do with less. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
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Thanks Veena!
I think I'll recommend her not to do everything so frequently, maybe she's being too tough to herself too often. Personally I always did flexibility training 3 or maximum 4 days a week so that could be why I never experienced this problem myself. Always suspected that doing it every day wouldn't be wise and obviously I shouldn't change my routine then!
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Thanks Veena!
I think I'll recommend her not to do everything so frequently, maybe she's being too tough to herself too often. Personally I always did flexibility training 3 or maximum 4 days a week so that could be why I never experienced this problem myself. Always suspected that doing it every day wouldn't be wise and obviously I shouldn't change my routine then!
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