How do you practice the splits?

Question

I have wanted to do the splits for AGES and i'm not really anywhere close. I know it takes time but is there a way I could be able to do it (if you get me) ? If so, how?!

thanks :)

Answer 1

I actually just learned how to do the splits, and it all depends on stretching your muscles. Here are some helpful exercises:

1. Sit with you legs straight in front of you. Now stretch and hold your toes for 20 seconds. Yes, it does hurt, but it improves flexibility greatly.

2. Now do the same thing, but this time, stand up and reach down.

3. Sit on the floor and bring your right foot up to your mouth (don't actually touch it to your mouth). Hold for 30 seconds, then do with the other leg.

4. Now, you must stretch your Sartorius muscle. Sit in a butterfly position, your feet together, and your toes pointed. Now try to touch your feet with your nose, and hold for 30 seconds.

5. Now sit on the floor, with your legs spread as far apart as possible. Reach over your head with your right arm and hold the toes on you left foot. Do the same with the other leg.

p.s. the easiest way to do the splits is with one leg in front and the other behind. It's much harder to have one leg on either side of you.

Answer 2

Well always stretch before, and you might want to enroll in a gymnastics class. It helped me. now i can do them.

Answer 3

You need to strengthen the leg muscles as well as stretch them.  Also stretch all the muscles not just the ones you think are involved in doing splits.

Buy a book called Stretching Scientifically by Tom Kurns. Best set of instructions out there. Book has been around for awhile and is tried and tested and works.