One day up, one day down.

joni1 started this discussion · 9/7/2010

So I just don't get it. 🤔 I try to stretch for my splits 5 days a week. This week I got so close to my front splits that I have ever been,1 1/2 inch to the floor 🥂 then the next day I'm back to 3 inches and just can't go any further 😠 . Then a few days later I am down again to 1 1/2 inch 🥂 and the next day to 6 inches 😈 . What is going on ❓ It is so frustrating as some days I feel like I am so close and all this hard work is paying off 🫡 .Then the next day I feel like I step back a few months. 😈

9 replies

polebunny · 9/7/2010
maybe on the days you arent getting it as much u could try warming up more
joni1 · 9/7/2010
maybe on the days you arent getting it as much u could try warming up more I'm pretty warmed up all the time as I do 20 minutes on the eliptical then a series of various stretches for an hour prior to going into my front splits.
megs982 · 9/7/2010
You could be over working your muscles. they say give a days rest. Try doing them every other day and see if that helps
Charley · 9/7/2010
I am in the same boat - I do think it's overuse but if I get really warm and I don't start out in a max stretch I can usually work it out...so maybe try that? if you aren't already.
Charley · 9/7/2010
Also consider what you put in your body - caffeine, alcohol, nicotine all directly effect muscles and can make you tighter. So if you ar elike me and need 8 cups of coffee in the morning 😂 that could also effect your stretchiness.
Maria-Elena Kadala · 9/7/2010
On the bendy chat, David (StellarMotion) said not to train every day ... so on alternate days you would do your generic stretches to maintain flexibility, on other days to train to increase your stretching. Also keep in mind that if you are poling you are developing muscle, and the tightness may come from the previous day's workout.
Charley · 9/7/2010
another great point! There are also different types of stretching too - I had totally forgottenabout building muscle - that can make you tight too.
dustbunny · 9/7/2010
Besides all the good points mentioned, some days our bodies are just stronger/more flexy/whatever than others. You may never know why exactly you can't do today what you could do yesterday, or if you'll be able to do it tomorrow. IT IS NORMAL, so don't stress about it (stress certainly isn't going to help anything 😛). Just do what you can today, know that you did your best and learn to be happy with it. I don't know if you record your progress is any way (journal, writing how many inches to go on the calendar, etc.) but maybe you wouldn't feel so discouraged if you knew that even on a 'bad' stretchy day your AVERAGE was slowly getting better. For example, say you write down somewhere how many inches from the floor you are every time you try. When you get to 10 measurements, add them up and divide by 10 to get the average distance to the floor. After another 5 sessions and measurements, add up the MOST RECENT 10 and divide by 10. This way you are tracking a running average, and should help you see your 'real' progress without focusing on 'good' or 'bad' days. Good Luck, and I'm jealous by the way...I'd love to get my splits, but I don't have the motivation to make the time required. 🙁 Good for you for taking the time to really try!
joni1 · 9/7/2010
Thanks everyone. 🫡 Those are great tips and encouragement. I am going to try them all. I now think stretching pass my max 5 days in a row may be a big no no as I feel very sore each day. 😮 I'm going to try to push for my maximiun 1 day thenjust maintain the next. 👍