Could someone enlighten me to how long it takes to improve flexibility? Lets say my goal is the splits and I can do about 70% of those, how long would it take to achieve the splits to 100%? Also is improving flexibility like weight lifting where you slightly increase the weight over a long period of time and get stronger slowly, or can you stretch for like an 8 hour period every day and become flexible really fast? Also if anyone could point me towards any websites blogs or guides on improving flexibility I'd appreciate it.
Seriously dude, just do yoga. I do a 30min ashtanga yoga routine from a dvd and after doing a week of it I can tell a drastic difference in my flexibility. But likewise if I'm not able to get around to it because I'm very busy for about four days or so my flexibility will diminish. Not so bad that I lost all the gains I made, but I can definitely tell a difference. Why do you want to do the splits anyways?
I would guess that the more flexible you are, the harder it will be to become extremely flexible (I consider "the splits" to be extreme flexibility). The one nice thing about being a relatively stiff, non-flexible guy is that a little goes a long way. I've seen dramatic improvements after 30 days of almost daily stretching (though I agree that you do start to lose some of it when you stop stretching as regularly) ...
I've posted this before, but this is what I think the ideal is when it comes to flexibility. Personally I think doing the splits is over rated-especially as it relates to grappling-but here you go, complete with cheesy new age music: <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ixRW3JbE1Dc&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ixRW3JbE1Dc&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
The guy in the video's name is David Swenson, he's a big time ashtanga yoga instructor who has put out a series of dvds and books on ashtanga yoga. I have his dvd "Yoga Short Forms: the Practice". It basically is a highly condensed ashtanga yoga routine that has been reduced to 15, 30, and 45 minutes long. Each one is a little more demanding than the other. I've never done the 45min one, the 30 minute routine is demanding but doesn't leave you feeling wiped out. Its a really good dvd, with guided instruction. The above video is actually his demo from the dvd.
How funny would it be if a guy that flexible showed up at your school for his first class, and he started doing all that shit during stretching
Look at :52 for a sick rubber guard. Stretching is great. Do it regularly and your flexibility will improve. IMO yoga is the healthiest form of exercise.
I've got one of this guy's DVD's, Ashtanga is the only type of yoga worth a damn. Right now, I'm only doing the DVD around once a month because I kind've get bored doing yoga and it gets old compared to other workouts, but I notice huge benefits from doing it.
