Stretching hamstrings yield very very little progress.

[Burning_Inside]

This past summer when it was warm out, I'd go outside every day or evry other day and run and stretch. I'd do stretch kicks, and just normal static stretches.

I gained very very little progress. Every day, I'd always have to work back to the point I left off at yesterday, and the thing is, fromt he first day i started stretching tot he last day I stopped running outsid ecause of the cold weather (and because it was time for me to bulk) there was very little difference between, for example, the point where my fingers would touch when i bent over from when I first started, to the point they ended up at at the last day.

I was stretching multiple times throughout the day...Whenever I was standing around, I'd bend over and stretch for a good 30 secs..The thing was, i could do a stretch at say, 1:00 and end up having my fingers be at a certain point when i stopped, and then at 5:00, I could go to stretch again, and wouldn;t you know it, I was back at square one after only 4 hours.

I kept at it and kept at it, but after 2 months of this shit, the progress was negligible, that I just got fed up and lost interest.

What is my problem? Is there any sort of vitamin you can take to make your ligaments more flexible ?

Should I just kill myself?

 

[OfWolfandMan]

Should I just kill myself?

Ermm...probably not dude.Are you trying to gain a certain amount of flexibility?I dont know much about that,but ironmind has a book called beyond stretching(i think thats what its called)that might help you out.Im sure someone else on here might be able to help you out more..

 

[Lord_Suston]

that is called active stretching, there is only so far you can make yourself stretch. Have someone else help you the results will be much greater and much safer.

Why do you think pro sports teams have traininers who just stretch player

 

[PolishHammer1977]

 

[b fold the truth]

Stretch 3-4x per day...lightly. See if that helps.

Becoming flexible takes time...lots of time. Before I warm-up, I am VERY unflexable...when I warm up I am VERY flexable.

B True

 

[mrzap]

Definetly takes time. I gained tremendous flexibility from doing martial arts, and I learned a few stretching tips.

1) Warm up before you stretch!
(ie do some cardio etc)

2) Learn to do swing kicks. This is where you take your leg, keep it straight and swing it up like you are trying to kick yourself in the forehead. I have got it to where my foot travels behind my head. I think this is the single most important hamstring flexibility tool.

3) Breathing is very important. Do not hold your breath when stretching. Deep breaths in and out.

4) Toe touches suck. You will make better progress sitting down. Extend one leg, with your other leg lay it flat and touch your other knee with the bottom of that foot, then on grab the bottom of the foot of the extended leg and hold it there. Take deep breaths.

The more warmed up you get the easier it will be to stretch. When I kill myself on a leg day I stretch afterward and I will be super limber.

 

[rjl296]

pnf

 

[ffknight84]

good info mr zap

 

[coolcolj]

stretch hold for 3 secs, relax a bit, repeat a few times

then stretch, and then flex the hamstrings, relax and stretch a bit further, flexc again and keep going until you can't stretch it any further, keep this up for a few sessions and be amazed