Is it dangerous

[Patrithang]

to practice your splits when you haven't stretched?
could you rip or break something?

 

[GymVamp]

yes you can pull something

 

[tumblerK]

If you push yourself too much even when you are stretched and warmed up you can pull a muscle, but I don't think it's possible to break anything. Splits is a stretch, so as long as you aren't over stretching it's not dangerous. If you warm up and strech the rest of your body before though you will probably go down farther.

 

[BlairBob]

basically all stretching is creating micro tears in the muscle just like conditioning/weight/strength training.

doing this cold means you are just stretching the tissue more when it is very pliable. some people have a huge RangeOfMotion without a warmup though.

 

[flippinlolly]

Yes its dangerous! I am super flexible (can be quite annoying at times!) and while I can easily do splits without warming up you can still easily hurt yourself and I learnt that the hard way! I just went straight into splits like I used to do almost everyday and I felt this really painful pop. Turned out I ripped my hamstring! I was off gym for ages and could barely lift my leg past horizontal! Now I stretch every time before I do splits!

 

[Alyssa983]

DO NOT DO IT! I DID IT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND I PULLED A MUSCLE IN MY LEG! I STILL CANNOT GO AS FAR DOWN IN MY SPLITS AS I USED TO ON THAT LEG! I also couln't do alot of stuff at gymnastics just don't try it.

 

[B Gymnast]

I wouldn't go full out all the way yet.. I'd stretch before you do them and the first couple times don't push really hard. Just gradually go down farther.. oh and i love your avatar!!!

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

It's fine if it's a very light stretch -- don't start off by pushing yourself as hard as you can. Start with gentle stretches and work your way in as the muscles loosen up and warm up.