Spacey
10-20-2011, 07:53 PM
Hi, I am looking for some help improving my flexibility. In general, I am tight all over*—*from my neck to my to toes. I suspect this comes from years of not stretching properly, and it's worst in lower back and hamstrings (although the neck and shoulders are not much better).
About 4 weeks ago, I started adding about 10 minutes of stretching to the end of my workouts. I usually do 3 sets of static stretches, each one held for 30-60 seconds. My stretches for hamstrings are sitting with legs outstretched trying to touch toes and standing straight-legged and trying to touch toes; my stretch for quads is standing, bending one leg up so the foot touches my butt and pulling; and I do some calf stretches. I also added 10-30 seconds of stretching between sets.
Still, I am extremely tight. I went for a massage around the time I started stretching and again this week, and the therapist says I'm as tight as I was a month ago.
Are there other stretches I should incorporate?
Should I hold the stretches for more (or less) time?
Should I stretch more (or less) between sets?
Are there other things, besides stretching, I can do to increase flexibility?
Thanks
About 4 weeks ago, I started adding about 10 minutes of stretching to the end of my workouts. I usually do 3 sets of static stretches, each one held for 30-60 seconds. My stretches for hamstrings are sitting with legs outstretched trying to touch toes and standing straight-legged and trying to touch toes; my stretch for quads is standing, bending one leg up so the foot touches my butt and pulling; and I do some calf stretches. I also added 10-30 seconds of stretching between sets.
Still, I am extremely tight. I went for a massage around the time I started stretching and again this week, and the therapist says I'm as tight as I was a month ago.
Are there other stretches I should incorporate?
Should I hold the stretches for more (or less) time?
Should I stretch more (or less) between sets?
Are there other things, besides stretching, I can do to increase flexibility?
Thanks