Laura

I'm not flexiable. Whenever I have a class, it seems I feel the pain in my legs right up until the next class. Specifically, it's behind my thighs, so when I try to practice kicking, I end up only being able to kick low due to the pain and find it hard to stretch. Does anyone else go through this? What can I do to improve my flexiablity so I can practice my kicks better and heal faster.

eXcessiveForce

Stretch after you work out, when you are all warmed up, not when you are cold.

Stretching for flexibility is most beneficial after the workout.

Additionally tendons do not stretch well and it takes a very long time to loosen them up. So it could be that your tendons are not yet able to stretch as far as your muscles are.


Just keep stretch, and eventually it should go away.

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GranFire

As the great Bruce Lee said it: Work with your limitations, not against them.

Unless you are a kid (relatively speaking, in my mid 20s I didn't have any of these problems...) things are stiffer, hurt quicker and heal longer. Fact of life. You want to kick up to and stretch just pass your limit. Trust me, with regular workouts it gets better! Just don't force the issue.

Also, make sure your form is correct! We are one-sided, nothing that can easily be fixed, but to do things right we have to make sure the technique is as perfect as we can possibly get it.


And last, I like to be early for class and stretch before, even though our program includes warm-up and stretches. it makes for a smoother start. When I do hurt, gentle stretching seems to help a lot, just enough to flex the muscles. and then I have days where I can fold myself up like it was nothing, other times I can barely reach my toes...


Also, make sure you have plenty of electrolytes in your system. Lack off potassium and magnesium can lead to cramping and hurt muscles.

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Laura

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep at it. Although I'm almost forty, this has been a problem that goes way back with me. I remember when I was a little girl of 10 years old taking Karate, my Sensei and I used to exchange smiles because we were the only two in the class that just couldn't stretch to save our lives. Now that I'm in TKD, I want to be able to do the same kicks as everyone else. Thanks again for the replies.

Tom Yum

In addition to everything said, have you also considered trying yoga to work out the inflexibility? or getting a sports massage after a week of intense training?

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samjang

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