Parents Flexibility

[Newbiee]

Is it usual for a gymnast to lose splits? DD loses her splits a lot , she will get them flat then after a few weeks struggle to get them down again. Any advice?

 

[glitterrays]

Is it usual for a gymnast to lose splits? DD loses her splits a lot , she will get them flat then after a few weeks struggle to get them down again. Any advice?

think its pretty normal if theres a break of stretching, id advise a stretchinf routine, maybe 2 minutes everyday, it helps keep it consistent

 

[Coach Kate]

Yes, without daily practice, flexibility can indeed fade. I trained contortion for a few years as an adult and I had to spend a bare minimum of an hour every day just as maintenance. For splits, a few minutes a day should be fine.

 

[christinemay21]

Splits is definitely a 'use it or lose it' type thing! My daughter has the same thing if she doesn't stretch for a while. Just make sure she keeps up the stretching at least twice a week!

 

[Newbiee]

Yes, without daily practice, flexibility can indeed fade. I trained contortion for a few years as an adult and I had to spend a bare minimum of an hour every day just as maintenance. For splits, a few minutes a day should be fine.

Yes, without daily practice, flexibility can indeed fade. I trained contortion for a few years as an adult and I had to spend a bare minimum of an hour every day just as maintenance. For splits, a few minutes a day should be f

Yes, without daily practice, flexibility can indeed fade. I trained contortion for a few years as an adult and I had to spend a bare minimum of an hour every day just as maintenance. For splits, a few minutes a day should be fine.

Thanks for your reply! Is there any stretches you would recommend? As she is young (7) and already training a few days per week it would be good to have a short stretch routine that she would be able to manage a few days a week so wondering if there is certain stretches that are more effective than others?

 

[Coach Kate]

I would make sure her body is a little warm first - even just 30 jumping jacks or 10 candlestick rolls. Then she could do her stretches from her warm-ups she does at gym. I personally, as both a coach and athlete, like active movements like kicks - front, side, needle - as well as straddles, pikes and splits. I also find quad splits using a wall to be very helpful.

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

Little and often is better than a big stretch session once a week.

For videos to follow look up FlexAbilities by Shelby McNamara - heaps of free content and I think those who have purchased her programs have been very happy.

 

[Newbiee]

I would make sure her body is a little warm first - even just 30 jumping jacks or 10 candlestick rolls. Then she could do her stretches from her warm-ups she does at gym. I personally, as both a coach and athlete, like active movements like kicks - front, side, needle - as well as straddles, pikes and splits. I also find quad splits using a wall to be very helpful.

Thanks very much! Really helpful!

 

[Newbiee]

Little and often is better than a big stretch session once a week.

For videos to follow look up FlexAbilities by Shelby McNamara - heaps of free content and I think those who have purchased her programs have been very happy.

Thank you! We actually use this one! It’s just most the videos are long so it’s trying to find shorter ones to not overwhelm her!