Getting your splits

Hi Guys!

So the question I get asked most often is how to get your splits. Most people don't realise that I'm actually really naturally inflexible, and so I had to work really hard for my splits! Here are some exercises I recommend you try:

Hamstrings: if you want to get your splits, you obviously need to really stretch out the backs of your legs. Sit on the floor with one leg straight out in front of you and the other bent behind you. Reach forward to your foot, keeping your leg straight and hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat several times a day on both legs. As you get more flexible, try to get your chest on your leg, and then try the stretch with a flexed foot.

Lunges: lots of people struggle getting the final bit of your splits flat. This is generally because you lack flexibility in the hips/pelvic area. To loosen this up, you should do lunges with your back knee on the floor; take your hands off the ground and push your hips forwards into the stretch. For maximum results, keep your hips square and maintain a 90 degree angle between the floor and the shin of your front leg.

Back: many people don't realise that often it is their back flexibility which is holding back their splits. To get a flat split, you need to be able to have your leg in arabesque above 90 degrees with a straight back. As someone with a really inflexible back, I do lots of bridges, rocking backwards and forwards over your hips and shoulders. Once you have good back flexibility, it is also good to practise your scorpion for back flexibility.

Top tips:

Don't only stretch one leg! It's a common trap to fall into when you get your splits on one leg to stop stretching your other leg... Remember it's better to be equally flexible on both sides than to have one really flexible leg and one really tight leg!

Stretch little and often. It is best to stretch for a few minutes every night, rather than spending a few hours stretching at the weekend. Progress will come slowly, but you need to keep it up.

Don't give up! Flexibility takes time and effort- while it may seem like you're getting nowhere your body is just adjusting and it will take a while to get your splits. However with regular stretching and determination, you'll soon have your splits!

I hope this has helped some of you, and please comment your thoughts and suggestions of other things you want help with!

Atlanta :)