flexibility

[Bob-iylho]

So I've been keeping in shape for the past ten years, 55 now.
I go through phases, so maybe 2 years running, 2 years weights, year rowing etc etc.
All with strong targets, I like hard goals to reach.
However once acheived I want to change challenge.
I'm now on flexibility, yoga, which I find quite a challenge as progress is slow.
Initially I couldn't touch my toes, 2 months later I can get all ten fingertips on the floor, but in the last month no real progress.
It's like the hammys just refuse to give. My focus is on hamstrings rather than back as I have a dodgy lower back with a tendancy to bulge a disc, so stretching has to focus on hamstrings.

Any one been down this route, do the hamstrings finally give in and stretch.

Aim is palms on ground progressing into a handstand.

[BurtonLazars]

Lots of runners think they have tight hamstrings, and incorrectly treat them with hamstring stretches, when their hamstrings are in fact long and taught because of their anterior pelvic tilt. In this case the solution is often to stretch the hip flexors and quads, to strengthen the tummy muscles and to strengthen the hamstrings. As a result of this, the anterior pelvic tilt can be corrected over time and the hamstrings no longer feel tight.

Not saying that’s you, of course.

[Boosted LS1]

Tai chi is great for flexibility. I can do lengthy handstands. I find yoga more demanding though as it's more intense. A mix of both is defo a win win.

[Bob-iylho]

BurtonLazars said:

Lots of runners think they have tight hamstrings, and incorrectly treat them with hamstring stretches, when their hamstrings are in fact long and taught because of their anterior pelvic tilt. In this case the solution is often to stretch the hip flexors and quads, to strengthen the tummy muscles and to strengthen the hamstrings. As a result of this, the anterior pelvic tilt can be corrected over time and the hamstrings no longer feel tight.

Not saying that’s you, of course.

Yes stretching these as well. Really stretching everything except lower back.

[popeyewhite]

BurtonLazars said:

Lots of runners think they have tight hamstrings, and incorrectly treat them with hamstring stretches, when their hamstrings are in fact long and taught because of their anterior pelvic tilt. In this case the solution is often to stretch the hip flexors and quads, to strengthen the tummy muscles and to strengthen the hamstrings. As a result of this, the anterior pelvic tilt can be corrected over time and the hamstrings no longer feel tight.

Not saying that’s you, of course.

Strengthening the stomach muscles by lying flat on your back on the floor and rolling the top of the hips backwards (anterior to posterior tilt) 'into' the floor, or if you like to think trying to push your belly button through the small of your back into the floor is the best way of solving APT as the movement pattern during the exercise actually involves correcting the poor posture of the hips. In gymnastics this movement is called the 'Hollow Body'. It may be pertinent to the OP or it may not. Personally i've been running for 20 years and not met a runner with APT, but virtually all had tight hamstrings - but there you go

[popeyewhite]

Bob-iylho said:

Any one been down this route, do the hamstrings finally give in and stretch.

Aim is palms on ground progressing into a handstand.

If you're moving towards the handstand you are quite right to look at hamsting flexibility as a progression is the pike handstand press. For this good hamstring flexibility is required. Google the pike handstand if you don't already know it, then google pike or L sit hamstring stretches and look for clips on Youtube. If you get stuck there are several I can link you to. The secret is consistency and variation. Good luck.

[Bob-iylho]

Thanks chaps.
Today after a month of plateau it seemed like the hammys finally accepted that I'm not giving up on this. No progress as such just felt like it didn't take me an hour to get to where I left off yesterday.
I'm going to do it for a year every day and see where I am.

[BurtonLazars]

popeyewhite said:

Personally i've been running for 20 years and not met a runner with APT, but virtually all had tight hamstrings - but there you go

Well that’s quite the statement Popeyewhite! Can I ask how you know they didn’t?

[Boosted LS1]

popeyewhite said:

Bob-iylho said:

Any one been down this route, do the hamstrings finally give in and stretch.

Aim is palms on ground progressing into a handstand.

If you're moving towards the handstand you are quite right to look at hamsting flexibility as a progression is the pike handstand press. For this good hamstring flexibility is required. Google the pike handstand if you don't already know it, then google pike or L sit hamstring stretches and look for clips on Youtube. If you get stuck there are several I can link you to. The secret is consistency and variation. Good luck.

I'm confused, I thought a handstand is vertical ie up against a wall.

[popeyewhite]

Boosted LS1 said:

popeyewhite said:

Bob-iylho said:

Any one been down this route, do the hamstrings finally give in and stretch.

Aim is palms on ground progressing into a handstand.

If you're moving towards the handstand you are quite right to look at hamsting flexibility as a progression is the pike handstand press. For this good hamstring flexibility is required. Google the pike handstand if you don't already know it, then google pike or L sit hamstring stretches and look for clips on Youtube. If you get stuck there are several I can link you to. The secret is consistency and variation. Good luck.

I'm confused, I thought a handstand is vertical ie up against a wall.

Well, a handstand is any movement where the hands support the upside down body. Free, facing the wall, facing away from the wall, wall walks to handstand etc. A pike handstand (pike press) is a handstand progression. there are quite a few progressions

[popeyewhite]

BurtonLazars said:

popeyewhite said:

Personally i've been running for 20 years and not met a runner with APT, but virtually all had tight hamstrings - but there you go

Well that’s quite the statement Popeyewhite! Can I ask how you know they didn’t?

Because a. they were mostly intelligent people who knew the difference, but weren't intelligent enough to stretch properly and b. an individual with APT is pretty ease to recognise (left image):

[BurtonLazars]

popeyewhite said:

Because a. they were mostly intelligent people who knew the difference, but weren't intelligent enough to stretch properly and b. an individual with APT is pretty ease to recognise (left image):

My dude that reply is utterly shocking on a couple of different levels.

[popeyewhite]

BurtonLazars said:

My dude that reply is utterly shocking on a couple of different levels.

Oh.