Splits in 3 weeks: FAQs
I want to first thank everyone for visiting this website, seeking advice, and leaving comments. You certainly aren't alone in your journey to getting the splits down!
I want to take some time to address some of your questions that have been brought up in this post. Feel free to leave comments and ask more questions.
Some FAQs:
Am I stretching correctly if I feel pain?
Can you help me on cartwheels?
Do both your legs have to be straight?
I'm a freshman. What are tryouts like? Can freshman be on the drill team?
Is this post for all splits? Right, left, and center?
Is there a video to go with this post? Or pictures for each stretch?
Am I too old to start dancing?
What kind of stretches am I supposed to do in each session? Can I do all of them?
I'm not a dancer, but I want to do the splits. Is this site for me?
Are there other ways to warm up other than jogging?
How can I get my splits down even faster? Can tall people or guys do the splits?
Am I stretching correctly if I feel pain? No. If you feel that a stretch is painful, then you have gone too far (or haven't warmed up enough). Back it up a little and try to take it step by step. You will get to your splits eventually, but not on day 1. Just be patient, and stretch to your limits (that is, to the point before you feel pain). Eventually, your limits will one day become the splits. It's quite difficult to describe what a stretch feels like–if you're having trouble with this, a great person to ask for help is a fitness instructor.
Can you help me on cartwheels? Sorry. In my drill experience, I've never seen anyone do cartwheels. Of course, drill is different from state to state, so if anyone could provide some good advice on this topic, I'd be happy to post it on the site and give you credit!
Do both your legs have to be straight? Generally, yes. However, some girls have a lot of difficulty straightening out their back leg. I'd say that if your legs are almost straight, then no one will notice any minor bending. A skirt can usually hide these little things.
I'm a freshman. What are tryouts like? Can freshman be on the drill team? Are they easier on you? I don't have the answer to this question because all schools are different. This is a good question to ask your team's coach or captain.
How do I maintain flexibility? I feel like after waking up, I'm just as inflexible as I was before I started stretching. This is a common problem, and it usually happens when either:
1. Your stretching session wasn't long enough, or
2. You don't stretch frequently enough
Try to lengthen your stretching sessions, or increasing the number of stretching sessions you have each day.
Is this post for all splits? Right, left, and center? Yes.
Is there a video to go with this post? Or pictures for each stretch? Unfortunately, no. However, if anyone would like to make a video of the stretches or post pictures, feel free to do so or email them to me. I could post these to help everyone else, and I will definitely give you credit.
Am I too old to start dancing? Absolutely not! Though it will probably be more difficult to get started when you get older, you can definitely start at any time.
What kind of stretches am I supposed to do in each session? Can I do all of them? This is up to you, but it's important to pick a variety of stretches so that you are stretching different muscle areas. Doing all the stretches is fine.
I'm not a dancer, but I want to do the splits. Is this site for me? This site is for people who want to do the splits, but it's mainly targeted to dancers. If you are looking to improve your flexibility, I think this is a fit for you. If you're looking more towards leg training for martial arts, then this is probably not suited for you.
Are there other ways to warm up other than jogging? Yes! Whatever gets your muscles warm and makes you sweat is good, even if it's jumping on a trampoline.
How can I get my splits down even faster? Splits take time, and 3 weeks is already quite a short time. I wouldn't recommend trying to further accelerate this process.
Can tall people or guys do the splits? Usually, yes.
I feel like I'm not getting anywhere, and my legs are really painful from all the stretching. Is this program not for me? Not necessarily. If you are feeling painful from stretching, that's not a good sign because it means you have strained your muscles. Thus, the reason you're not getting anywhere is probably because you are stretching incorrectly. You may feel some soreness from stretching, but if you are feeling painful, try to ease back and not go so far. Be aware of your limits, and don't go past them.
Ok, that's it for now. To everyone who has gotten down to the splits: Congratulations! I'm proud of your commitment and dedication to your goal. To those of you still working on them: good luck and stay motivated.