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Anonymous
Hi /fit/. I'm 21 and I'm planning to start karate. I know it's way too late for this, and if you like you can try talking me out of it.

But first of, I have a question: To do proper karate, I have to improve my elasticity dramatically. There is no way I can do anything like a split at the moment. I can barely get me legs 90 degrees apart, but I'd be happy if I could to a position like in the picture.. So the last week I started stretching for like 10 minutes a day.
But somehow, the situation got worse. I feel pain in any fibre if I put even slightest pressure on it, and I definately can stretch less than before.

Will I be able to improve at my age, or even do a slit?
Is there some technique you suggest, as I am definitely doing it wrong.
>> Anonymous
i did martial arts during my teenage years till i reached adulthood.
I'm 21, I quit martial arts for good and i started breakdancing.
Nothing's too late :)
>> Anonymous
Damn, you're my hero dude. I'm 20, a fatty and working on losin' some of this fat in order to take karate. I'd take the break dancer's advice and follow up on, "nothing is too late."
>> Anonymous
When I'm warm I can get my split to around 165-ish degrees, im only a couple inches away from full. I'm also not a girl.
>> Anonymous
>>400203
Aside from all that "it's never to late" talk, I think it's really important to be realistic. Both of us will never be "good" at karate. Your body won't ever get in the same shape it would be in if you started in your early childhood. At this age it is a wearisome struggle to make even the slightest advantages. But look at it this way: It's not some goal you want to reach, I don't really care for the results - I'm already happy with trying the best I can, being on the path of learning karate. Meh, this sounds cliche so I'll wrap it up: "Yes it is to late, but I don't care!"

>>400226
So did you train this from a young age, or is there a way to get this done without ever having tried before ?
>> Anonymous
>>400260

Precisely sir.
>> Anonymous
It's very possible to reach fullsplits and you could do it in a matter of months if you learn the right method.
Basically just go as low as you can and tense your leg muscles (imagine trying to close your while in the split position). Hold this the position for 20-30seconds. It should not hurt, if it hurts you're going too low and you'll only hurt yourself and set yourself back. Do this a few times every 2 days.
Don't do any other method even if your instructor tells you. Most 'martial artists' don't know shit about real stretching, go see a gymnast for real flexibility.
Also for karate you should be focusing on dynamic stretching, ie. being able to do the full-splits WON'T allow you do high kick. There's a difference
>> Anonymous
>>400284
Thanks a lot.
>> Anonymous
>>400260
Haha, my god. You're in a good age to start training. Why the hell would the childhood years be more important training wise than your adult years? Bas Rutten started training when he was 21, and he became both King of Pancrase and the UFC Heavy Weight Champion. Would he have been much better if he started when he was 10? No, because there is a thing called a form curve, and if he had started earlier he would have been at the best shape of his life when he was 25 instead of 35. Thats the only thing. So stop with your bullshit excuses before you even have begun to train and get your ass to a gym/dojo. Thank you for your time.
>> Anonymous
>>400315
Well, they say you need to learn stretching right when your body is growing. You'll also get a way better body awareness from training as you grow. But I do this also to find out how far I can get, It's not an excuse.
>> Anonymous
>>400425
they lie
>> Anonymous
>>400163
i started kungfu at 19 to 20 and now im 24 and i lost most of my ability to do the splits, but im sure if i practiced again i would be able to do them in like 3-4 months
>> Anonymous
>>400425
Being able to kick somebody in the head after a warmup does not take that long to accomplish if you take your training seriously. Go watch some Pavel Tsatsouline. After a year of his excersices and karate, you'll have the flexibility of a mutant.
>> Anonymous
I can't do split and my legs are also about 100 degree apart. I can kick you in the face easily though.
>> Anonymous
In Karate, age is NEVER the problem, I started when I was 3 but I know plenty of people that older than you and are still starting, Yes you do need to be VERY flexible, at least you are in Karate, not Taekwondo, which is all kicking.

How are you stretching? How many times a day? You need rest first of all, so you don't muscle ache. Also, You need to start from one part of the leg to the other. I say you just stretch for 4 times a week, start SLOWLY. Don't expect yourself to do a full split.

Start by trying to get touch your toes. If you can do that, sit on the floor, open your legs and then move your body to the floor, then to one leg to the other. Make sure you leave it for a good amount of time, counting to ten can help. Then stretch your quads (just bend your leg back).

Patience is what you need also. After that you'll be fine :)
>> Anonymous
Also, why would you want to kick someone in the head? Why stretch at all?

I stretch from time to time because it's pleasurable but that's that.
>> Anonymous
Just, fags, remember. Your tendons are like rubber bands. If you stretch it too fast or too much it will chap. Tendons heal and those micro chaps will heal but then scar tissues are formed and you lose your flexibility.
PROTIP: Take it slow, fags.
>> Anonymous
>Will I be able to improve at my age or even do a split?
One of the best fighters in my school is a 50 year old man who started in his 40's. On a good day, properly warmed up, he can almost do a -full- split.
So...., unless you have some sort of bone condition or other structural anomaly, I see no reason you can't EVENTUALLY do it. (think long term, weeks/months for improvements, months/years for results)

>Is there some technique you suggest....

First of all, patience. It will take weeks or months to see any appreciable results. The fact that your legs are so sore and stiff lead me to believe you overdid it.
Hold a comfortable stretch, where you feel a slight pulling or stretching sensation for 20-30 seconds. If desired, repeat stretch slightly further/lower for another 20-30 seconds. If you are feeling PAIN then you have gone too far; back off a little bit until it is only the stretching sensation, and hold there.

Another note: many people advise against 'cold stretching'. The best time to stretch would be AFTER your workout/class, or at least jog a little bit first. Anything to get the blood flowing a little.
>> Anonymous
>>400545Cont.
Dynamic (or ballistic) stretching (example: swinging leg straight up) can be effective, but dangerous. Don't overdo it, and make sure you are practicing on a clean, dry, and soft surface (mats, grass, etc.) as the risk of slipping is high.
Bonus: you'll be able to crank out axe/downward kicks like nobody's business.

Another favorite, find a stretch position you can hold while doing something else (watching tv, reading a book, etc.). The best that comes to mind is sitting split. Just plop your ass on the floor and spread your legs in a V as *far as comfortable*. Then, lean forward, reaching out as far as comfortable (right before the PAIN sets in). While in this position, also reach towards either foot for 20-30 seconds. At later levels, you can try touching your nose/stomach to the floor/knee, but for now, just focus on keeping the legs open and feeling a good stretch.
BONUS: during commercial breaks do some crunches/pushups, etc.
VARIANT: Push your legs open against a wall or similar. You can put your hands behind you for support. Sure, you can spend a buttload of money on some fancy stretching machine that holds your legs open. Or you can use a wall.

Remember: Patience, and Commitment, are all you need. Take your time and stretch daily.