How long does it take to get flexible?

[Ghost124]

So about 2 months ago when trying a yoga class I realized I am as stiff as a board. I then decided to make it my goal to do 5 min of stretching every single day of my legs. Before I would only stretch them on leg days.

My routine:

One leg out in front and touch toe with two hands then switch
Open legs into a V and touch the left toe with right hand and left hand to right toe
Then while having my legs in a V I touch both toes at the same time
Then legs out in front of me straight and touch the toes
Stand up and touch toes to the ground
Put one leg up on something that's slightly higher than my waist and touch the toe with two hands, then switch


I do each one of those stretches for 12 seconds. I have done this every single day for the past two months. The problem is I feel like I am still just as stiff as I was two months ago. Each one of those stretches, I can only get my leg about 95% straight. My knees are slightly bent for all those stretches because I can't straighten my legs all the way out. And each stretch still burns LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER. Has not gotten any easier.


Am I doing something wrong, should I throw in more stretches or does this take a long time?

 

[3J]

i remember when i started stretching..

it took me about 3 years to really see massive change in flexibility..

its a slow process

 

[Ghost124]

i remember when i started stretching..

it took me about 3 years to really see massive change in flexibility..

its a slow process

FUCK!
That's worse than a 140 pound dweeb trying to clean bulk to 200 all while natty

Guess it's 3 more years of this burning feeling

 

[3J]

yup.. i was on a very specific stretch routine.. one that dancers use...

it helps alot brother.. just keep doing it.. and remember to breath in deep and try extending your stretch further as you exhale

 

[IronWoman]

don't be discouraged, flexibility is not something you "arrive" at and "win" one day. it's more like something you do forever and that's that. nothing more, nothing less.
over time, you get more flexible! I've seen changes in yoga students within 2 weeks. some, within 2 years. it all depends on what you're working on.

we weight train, it's so yang. my greatest advice to take or leave, is to use this as a time to chill out. at night, if you watch tv, hop on the floor and stretch real easy (yin).
do it in the sauna (easy. yin).

focus on forward fold.
seated wide leg stretch
3 point hip stretch--that's where you lie on your back and stretch your leg over your body (IT band), up in the air (hamstring) and open to the side (inner thigh and hip).

these postures will change your lower body and back for the better.

if you want to look at women though, there are yoga classes chock full of them, but I've found most dudes cannot stand going for long and drop out eventually.

hope that helps. oh, and use a strap or towel or something, you stiff board of a man, until you get more limber. LOL

 

[manstan]

In my younger days, I would do two half hour stretching sessions a day in addition to my workouts, it took me around 4 months to be able to do full splits, starting I was able to do maybe 75%.
I remember buying a video tape on the subject, back in the early nineties, it definately helped. Just remember to stretch your whole body, as everything in connected and works together.