Title says it all. What can one do about this? I can't just not reach down and touch my toes, I can't even kick above my waist. This has prevented me from ever seriously considering doing a martial art, but now I'm finding it's also preventing me from doing exercises like stiff-legged deadlifts. I incorporated some static stretches into my routine a couple of months ago, and more recently some PNF stretches, but I've seen very little actual gain in flexibility. Anyone else had to deal with it? How do you overcome this?
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Severe Hamstring Inflexibility
- Thread starter MichaelA
- Start date
1. Self-myofascial release
2. Work your hams
Often, tight hams are the result of very strong quads, so the hams work overtimt to keep you erect, thus they are tight. Work them harder so they can effectively offset the quads.
Also, Self-myofascial Release (SMR). Read this article:
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=475832
Also, do static stretching after your workout.
My typical routine is: Dynamic stretching, workout, do the glycogen replinishment, then sometime in the day, after working out, do the foam rolling. I generally don't do static stretching, yet.
2. Work your hams
Often, tight hams are the result of very strong quads, so the hams work overtimt to keep you erect, thus they are tight. Work them harder so they can effectively offset the quads.
Also, Self-myofascial Release (SMR). Read this article:
http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=475832
Also, do static stretching after your workout.
My typical routine is: Dynamic stretching, workout, do the glycogen replinishment, then sometime in the day, after working out, do the foam rolling. I generally don't do static stretching, yet.
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While the roller looks interesting, I'm extremely hesitant to invest any amount of money (be it $10 or $1000) in something I've never heard of and doesn't look intuitively natural just to try my luck. There must be a way to do this without equipment. I mean, cave men must have been flexible... right?
Seems to me you should just continue doing a variety of static stretches. You should eventually gain more and more flexibility. If static stretches are particularly difficult for you because your hamstrings are so tight, try this: lie on your back, and have a friend cup his/her hands under your ankle and slowly lift your leg up. You should try to stay relaxed and keep your leg straight, and be sure your friend takes an even and slow pace, just until you feel some strain (but not pain). Tight hamstrings can lead to back trouble, among other things. Another idea - see if you can take a beginner yoga class.