Dont know if this is the right forum but hopefully someone can help. I have the intention of starting MMA training within the next few months, BJJ and Muay thai are the main areas I will be looking to train. I started trying to increase my flexibility in order to be more component and able with the grappling(and certain striking techniques) in mind. I've taken up yoga and static stretches, but I am finding it very difficult and frustrating as my body seems unwilling to improve. It may be a mental issue though as I hate sucking at stuff. Has anyone got any advice or been in a similar position and improved? I would appreciate any tips or encouragement, thanks in advance. Sorry if wrong forum, will move if it's a problem.
well training bjj and mma will get you over hating sucking at stuff really fast. Yoga is a great way to go, but honestly, if you want to get better at it, go do it! most schools will run you through stretches, if you're at one where everyone stretches on their own, just do what you see them doing.
Warm up and do some basic stretches. I like hurdlers stretches, butterfly stretch, plow, butt-stretchers and a few more. More importantly is learning how to execute movements with flexibility. Tornado rolls, learning to invert etc. are very very important for jiu-jitsu.
I see a lot of people underestimate how important flexibility is for bjj, I know because im THE most inflexible guy in the world, and IT FUCKING SUCKS, stretching alone in class wont do that much, you will improve some with time, but it is imperative to do stretching outside class, that being yoga, pilates, or whatever you chose to do.... I think if you have some serius flexibility problems (you probably do thats why you are concern about it) keep it up... I think yoga helps, Pilates is alos pretty good, or so I heard.
Sometimes there is a weakness in your body. I was having a hard time with my flexibility. I went and saw a PT and he told me my glutes were too weak and gave me some exercises. I started strengthening my glutes and doing stretches that were supplemental to where I thought the problem was, and it improved on its own. Expert advice can be worth it.
Obviously doing the movements you want to do are going to help you do them better. But one thing I noticed that helps you become pretty elastic in general is hip mobility. Here are two articles that were able to assist me with that.. http://www.t-nation.com/free_online...francos_training_rules_for_washedup_meatheads (scroll down to the part that elaborates about the agile 8) http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/stretching_doesnt_work Hope it helps.
Stretch often and be patient... I'm working on my flexibility too... It takes a LONG time to see results, just keep stretching... I've been stretching while I watch TV and I use my coffee table for leverage... I feel improvement, although painfully slow
Same thing happened to me. My hips were completely locked up because of a strength imbalance between my internal and external rotators. Been working to fix it for about 7 months, but I'm still far from done...
Building flexibility takes time. Stretching is the only way. Yoga is perfect. The videos on this playlist are Yoga sequences that work really well for bjj practitioners to build up things like rubber guard. Videos 1 & 2 are advanced poses that you can avoid at first, but the rest are fairly easy... http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUaAMMkwtKTjRnMdccVUwdZJve_LhvMAd
If you hate sucking at stuff you will hate bjj. You will without a doubt suck at bjj for a very long time.
Static stretches are good for cooling down or post warmup to maintain current flexibility and prevent injury, but I find that doing the BJJ drills and supplementing with yoga are better for developing range of motion. Even if your muscles are pliable enough to move a certain way, their complementary muscles must be developed enough to do so.
Why wait a few months? Start now or there is a good chance you never will. Flexibility certainly helps but it is not necessary before you start. Also, as someone else stated, if you hate sucking at things you will hate it. Just accept it and know that you will suck a little less each day.
It's a good feeling thought when you start to move more without working in that direction, like a door opening.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I will check out all the links and try to heed all of your advice. I honestly appreciate the responses, I'm normally the kind of person that picks things up quite fast so it has been unusual having something that seems so fundamentally difficult to start with. I'll use all this stuff as encouragement, cheers dudes.
Do both static and dynamic stretching. Has helped my flexibility overall. I stretch when I wake up and before bed.
I read in an interview that BJ Penn stretches for 1/2 an hour before bed every day plus after training. That guy is supposedly naturally incredibly flexible anyway yet he still feels the need to stretch daily.
