How to increase flexibility in hamstrings?

Question

im a 13 year old yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do and I have very little flexibility while kicking, I can only get to about belt height with out my knee bending, I can't even touch my toes un-less Ive been stretching forever! That's how bad it is! How can I increase flexibility? I already stretch very frequently! HELP! please

Answer 1

The only way to increase flexibility is to stretch everyday, and I mean everyday! Because you can easily lose flexibility just as fast as you gained it. Here is a website that gives you tips on stretching and tells you about different types of stretches and how to stretch. Its a tricking website but they have a very good article on stretching and flexibility.

http://trickstutorials.com/index.php?pag...

hope that helps :]

Answer 2

stretching and keep on stretching.

flexibility in the legs does not happen overnight it takes years to train.  In the old days often people training would tie themselves into a kind of rack and stretch their arms and legs that way but that just sounds a bit uncomfortable by modern standards.

but just keep excercising and you'll get there in the end

Answer 3

I'll give you a non-dynamic stretch and a dynamic stretch.  

You can do the one labeled "non-dynamic" at any time, for the dynamic stretch, only attempt after an extensive warm up.  

Non Dynamic -

1.) with feet together, keep your knees locked straight and bend at the waist (not at the neck and not at the knees)

2.) let your arms/hands hang naturally as far as they will go

3.) Take a deep breath inhale......

4.) When you exhale, your hands will go down a little further (bending a little more at the waist) - IMPORTANT - keep your hands at the new position

5.) Repeat this 5 times.  The first time, you may drop another 2 inches or so towards the floor.  The next few will not be as significant, but they will move down more each breath.  

Dynamic stretch (only after warm up) -

Dynamic means with movement.  This one is called the "stretch high kick".  It's not a kick with which you would attack someone, it's only a stretch.

1.) Right leg back fighting stance.

2.) Keeping your knee locked throughout the motion and keeping your toes pointed forward, swing your leg as high as you can (even if it's only waist high).  In time, it will get higher and higher.  

3.) Repeat 10 times

4.) Do the same thing, but with left leg back, repeat 10 times.

Another thing you can do is just work on getting your knee up, that will help too.

It won't happen overnight, but a little work at home goes a long way at class.

Good luck!

James

Answer 4

Keep stretching. It takes time. For some it takes more time. Change your stretch routine

Answer 5

stretch to touch your toes...that the stretch....also groin stretch and the splits.....good exercise is to throw your leg in front of you like an axe kick and get a good stretch in motion (like touching your kneed to your chest but not as far)..don't chamber for this just keep you leg slightly bent (not locked...but don't push this as much