I need expert advise,

Question

im 28 years old and ive just started a martial art called hankuk-mu-do,,, and im not that flexible, am i too old to get to do the splits? i need good advise on getting flexible

Answer 1

Dude your only 28 you dont start truly slowing down until your 50.Flexibility takes time,you have to strech allot and sweat allot but within 2 years you will notice how flexible you have become and how high you can kick without much effort.

Answer 2

In the beginning I couldn't do a split at all, but everyday, I would spread my legs out further (like 1 cm) and I can finally do a split :D. Of course I also had the help of this split machine thing

http://www.kungfulifestyle.com/von_doing...

thats not me, but its similar to the machine I used.

Answer 3

No, by no means are you too old. You're just going to have to work at it. I'd say that if you worked on your stretches everyday, you might be able to get pretty far in a month and by the third you'll be just fine. I haven't done splits in a long time and when I get down to stretch I can still get pretty far and kick over my head too. Though I wouldn't use that in real life anymore.

Answer 4

You are going to need to learn PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) method of stretching.

It is a scientific method results in great flexibility without injury.

Research it for yourself. I'm sure you will like what you discover.  

Answer 5

Practice makes perfect. The more you stretch the more limber you will get

Don't give up, you just have to want to reach your goal. Careful not to over train but give it the old college try and you will get where you need to be.

Good luck.

Too old...at 28.... HA HA HA  

Answer 6

Some individuals can never do the splits. It all has to do with the ball and socket of the hips. I was in gymnastics for years but could never do the splits and was told I never would be able to because of how my hips were made. You either can or you can't. There is no doing it unless you're made the right way to do it.

Answer 7

s**y Paul, easy on the "slowing down at 50" remarks...I would hate to think that I am only a scant decade away from hitting the brakes...lol...

As someone else mentioned, age has less to do with your abiilty to do the splits than your physical build. You just may not be able to accomplish this. But this should not limit your ability to excel in your chosen martial art, because precious few realistic and effective techniques include this requirement. What you should worry about it getting the best flex your body will allow, and build your skill set around that. I started heavy study of martial arts when I was 35, and have been involved in some sort of military or traditional martial arts training all of my adult life; I've never been able to do the splits (on purpose anyway; there WAS this one drunken night at the bowling alley where I apparently channelled James Brown, and tore a hamstring).

Your body will tell you when you have gone too far, this much I can promise you. Stretch to YOUR limits, not what someone else sets for you.