I can't do the splits no matter how long and hard i try?

Question

i did dance for 2 weeks at school then it ended. all that time i streched really well, danced awesome but i still can't do the splits. i get really close and the i feel like dying. it stretches my under-knee whatever that's called but my dance teacher says i'm supposed to feel it in my thighs. what am i doing wrong and do u have any tips? thanx

Answer 1

ok i used to have the same problem like 2 years ago i am a gymnast and i can do splits on both sides and straddle so get like a 3inch mat then put your leg up on it and ask mom dad or a friend to push u down for 2-3 mins this will hurt but the results are great in order to do this right u must be pushed down all the way then after 2-3 mins go down on the floor without the mat do this everyday on each leg. you should feel it behing ur knee a little thats ur hemstring but mainly in ur thighs while doing this exercise dont forget to breathe and try to keep ur ming off the pain by listening to music or watch TV

~GOOD LUCK~

Answer 2

I think the reason your hurting in your under-knee area is because you're leaning forward. My advice for you is to warm up for ten minutes at least, stretch for ten minutes at least, then go down as far as you can into your split. Then, put your arms in second position and keep your back strait up. Hold that for ten seconds (you'll start to really hurt, but just take deep breathes. Then, arch your back as far as you can and hold that for ten seconds. If you really can't bear the pain any longer, you can just stand up and do the other leg, but it you are feeling brave, then put your arms in second position and keep your back strait for ten seconds more then repete on the other leg. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

if it hurts. its not good. thats what they do at competitive gymnastics gyms as a last resort, its cruel and bad for your body. the best thing is to stretch all the time, when you're in front of the tv or just relaxing....here is a good stretch 'routine':

1. Jog in place for 1-2 minutes, your body is looser and warmer afterwards, and it also gets your core body temperature up.  At the gymnastics place where i work we only have 5 minutes of stretching and 10 minutes of cardio to get the core body temperature up, and no one ever pulls anything.

2. Sit in a straddle with your legs apart and stretch your arms out to the center and hold them there, only when you feel a little stretch not anything painful.

3. Repeat with reaching out to each foot while in straddle. and with your legs together.

4. Lie down on your back. raise your leg up, with the other one bent, and clasp your hands behind the knee, and gently pull it towards you and hold it there. its not supposed to go all the way down, its impossible. point and flex your foot. repeat with the other leg.

5. Do the kick exercise on this link: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

do this routine for half an hour once or twice a day. BE PATIENT!  doing the splits takes awhile.