Flexibility and strength

[Schutzhund1]

Who thinks that felxibility and strength go hand in hand?

I'm very inflexible and I'm starting to think that this may be one of my weakpoints in the squat (I can barely graze my toes with my finger tips with legs straight).

So assuming that improving my flexibility will improve my lifts, other than touching my toes, what are good tests of flexibililty?

 

[sasharawkz]

tight calves will impede your squat...stretch it out dude!!!

 

[araiber]

I personally think they also go hand in hand. Because you are able to actually work out more specific muscles and are able to isolate, and therefore have more control over your muscles (a forgotten muscular ability of the early bodybuilders, or strongmen, i think it was something like voluntary muscle control, or something). And of course it feels a hell of alot better to be able to go lower in your squats, or not have to "roll" onto the bench.

 

[super_rice]

being inflexible will definately impede your athletic ability. however, i do believe there is such a thing as being "too" flexible. i strongly believe a part of the reason i'm more stable in the hole is because i've gained mass and at the same time lost some flexibility.

 

[Schutzhund1]

So what are some good ways to increase flexibility in the key squatting muscles? Is the calf the key or hamstring?

 

[harhar]

Stretching promotes muscle growth. If you wanna be huge and strong, you better stretch your entire body.

 

[Illuminati]

Who thinks that felxibility and strength go hand in hand?

I'm very inflexible and I'm starting to think that this may be one of my weakpoints in the squat (I can barely graze my toes with my finger tips with legs straight).

So assuming that improving my flexibility will improve my lifts, other than touching my toes, what are good tests of flexibililty?

being flexible has nothing to do with your squat. to make your squat bigger, you first need to know where you are getting stuck, and then train the muscles that correlate to that part of the lift.

 

[eat big]

The stronger I've gotten over the years, the more felixible I've gotten. Most likely because I stretch to recover. I can touch the ground with my palms now whereas before I coul barely touch my feet.

 

[Illuminati]

The stronger I've gotten over the years, the more felixible I've gotten. Most likely because I stretch to recover. I can touch the ground with my palms now whereas before I coul barely touch my feet.

i haven't stretched in years, and i can still do that w/no pain.

 

[eat big]

i haven't stretched in years, and i can still do that w/no pain.

Everyone is different.

 

[super_rice]

i haven't stretched in years, and i can still do that w/no pain.

then you haven't been growing.

 

[Illuminati]

then you haven't been growing.

if you say so.