Gaining Flexibility with Pole Fitness
Let's talk about flexibility!
Often times, I receive students well over their 30s who join Pole Fitness just to have a little fun. They often allude about they are "too old" or "too stiff" to be flexible. There is a belief that our bones are "too hard" as an adult and therefore we cannot be flexible.
In reality, our "old" bones don't necessarily dictate whether we can be flexible or not. Your flexibility is actually determined by your muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves.
via GIPHY
In my years of training students of all ages, I have found that age doesn't really matter with flexiblity. There is no reason as to why you cannot train for a split at 50 years old. The secret recipe for flexibility, is dedication and consistency.
Here is a few tips for kicking off your flexibility journey: (Take note that the explanations here are brief. For more details, please comment down below or consult your instructor)
1. Explore your limits
Explore various stretches and find out where your limits are. Establish a baseline and find out what you really need to work on. Eventually, you will also find out which stretches work for you and which stretches don't.
Explore various stretches and find out where your limits are. Establish a baseline and find out what you really need to work on. Eventually, you will also find out which stretches work for you and which stretches don't.
2. Build a routine
Now this is where things will get confusing, but to make things simple, first, get your body warmed up (do a light jog or some light cardio prior to stretching). Then, stretch from head to toe.
Another thing you can (and actually should) do, is to take a few classes with someone with experience, like an instructor. They will usually be able to guide you based on your abilities and give you different types of stretches to try.
Now this is where things will get confusing, but to make things simple, first, get your body warmed up (do a light jog or some light cardio prior to stretching). Then, stretch from head to toe.
Another thing you can (and actually should) do, is to take a few classes with someone with experience, like an instructor. They will usually be able to guide you based on your abilities and give you different types of stretches to try.
3. Make time for stretching
If you want to increase your flexibility, you have to dedicate time to stretch. We're not talking about a 5 minute quick stretch before a workout. Spend at least 15 minutes for a quick stretch, and around 30 minutes good stretch. Intense sessions can last up to 2 hours.
If you want to increase your flexibility, you have to dedicate time to stretch. We're not talking about a 5 minute quick stretch before a workout. Spend at least 15 minutes for a quick stretch, and around 30 minutes good stretch. Intense sessions can last up to 2 hours.
4. Be consistent
If you are working on your leg flexibility, do not skip on all the essential preparatory stretches before you attempt a split. Make sure that you consistently work on and master stretching exercises as well as do your "homework" if you attend a stretching class.
If you are working on your leg flexibility, do not skip on all the essential preparatory stretches before you attempt a split. Make sure that you consistently work on and master stretching exercises as well as do your "homework" if you attend a stretching class.
5. Progressions
If a stretch becomes too easy, try finding ways to deepen a stretch so that you will actually be feeling the stretch and improving your flexibility rather than pointlessly holding a pose. If you don't feel a stretch in a certain position, switch it up!
If a stretch becomes too easy, try finding ways to deepen a stretch so that you will actually be feeling the stretch and improving your flexibility rather than pointlessly holding a pose. If you don't feel a stretch in a certain position, switch it up!
So that is it for now. I plan to post a few basic tutorials soon. Let me know which one's you would like me to post first!
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Interested in learning good techniques to stretch and increase your flexibility in Kuching? Message Teach Kai to find out more about her Basic Flexibility classes!
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