Stretching....?

[RabidBadger]

Im about as supple as a piece of iron, when I attend training I see all sorts of people manage to bend in half etc, any tips on how to improve this? As I know it will aid in training etc.
Just worried ill try a kick someday and my leg will fall off or something.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Have a look at your basic pre-lesson warmup - it's sure to cover most muscle groups for Karate - and have a look here :-

http://www.shapefit.com/stretching-exercises.html

EDIT: BTW - key to stretching I feel is "warm up first - don't push it - regularly"

JIm

[Moley]

Cod Liver Oil

200mg every morning

 

[Moley]

P.S.
I see you got an Avatar..
BTW
WTF is it ?

[RabidBadger]

Have a look at your basic pre-lesson warmup - it's sure to cover most muscle groups for Karate - and have a look here :-

http://www.shapefit.com/stretching-exercises.html

EDIT: BTW - key to stretching I feel is "warm up first - don't push it - regularly"

JIm

much apprieciated!

[Emma]

Start stretching daily.That way you won't wake up in the morning feeling stiff so you can get away with training everyday which means your Karate will get better and better. Why do you think Kawasoe can still do the splits when he's 65?He works at it daily.

As Jimmy says warming up first is so so important.Imagine putting an elastic band in the freezer then taking it out and starting to stretch it,it will snap.Imagine putting an elastic band in a oven then  taking it out and starting to stretch it,it will stretch much easier and won't snap.The elastic band is like your muscles,they need to be warm before you try and stretch them.Top tip BTW is to stretch after being in the shower,your muscles are warm and loose then.

[RabidBadger]

Start stretching daily.That way you won't wake up in the morning feeling stiff so you can get away with training everyday which means your Karate will get better and better. Why do you think Kawasoe can still do the splits when he's 65?He works at it daily.

As Jimmy says warming up first is so so important.Imagine putting an elastic band in the freezer then taking it out and starting to stretch it,it will snap.Imagine putting an elastic band in a oven then  taking it out and starting to stretch it,it will stretch much easier and won't snap.The elastic band is like your muscles,they need to be warm before you try and stretch them.Top tip BTW is to stretch after being in the shower,your muscles are warm and loose then.

So I should try going in the oven before training? Joke 

Thanks all for the advice, makes perfect sense - will try the above suggestions, also found some good stuff on the above website - gonna start nailing some cardio in the mornings before work also - should help! I dont like the elastic band in the freezer snapping bit, makes me grimace!

Avatar is Dr Manhatten! Your telling me you havnt seen Watchmen?! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409459/

[rob]

i thought i would butt into this as it is one of my more interested topics!

Anywho, listen to Emma she really got it in one about the whole cold and warm thing about your muscles! i think i will use it when im tring to explain it to other people!!

but like all specific training in karate or for that matter in most martial arts, regualr consistancy! oh and this website is pretty good i think! ive used it in all kinds of training and conditioning!

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/martial-arts-training.html