If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about myself is that I choose to learn anything that impresses me. An event only has to raise a smile from me for it to change my life plans and have me swapping my social circle, fashion sense and accent to match. So when I first saw Jean Claude Vandamme perform the splits in ‘Kick Boxing’, I grabbed shoelaces, two traffic cones and ran out into the garden. 30 minutes later I returned with nothing but a sore neck and muddy trousers. My fame in doing the splits was short lived, I returned to the couch and my pain was relived with an episode or two of Tom and Jerry, the former certainly handles pain better than I ever did.
10 years later I’ve decided to carry on from where I left off, and this article marks the start of my training, discovering the benefits of being able to do the splits, how they can be achieved and my current progress. To save you from being disappointed, don’t expect much from me just yet, after a warm up, from afar it still looks like I’m standing…
Why should I learn the splits?
Being able to do the splits is impressive and the feat can only be performed a very low percentage of people (none of my friends can do it, small sample I admit), but there are many real benefits to being able to do the splits. The truth is, power comes from flexibility, Bruce Lee said as much, and I’d be foolish to argue with him – he sadly passed away in 1973 yet I’m giving it another 20 years before I dare go against his teachings. Benefits of being able to do the splits relate directly to the advantages of stretching (such as improved circulation and a lower chance of injury), it’s a benchmark of flexibility and essential for those who take martial arts seriously.
Other benefits are that it’s another step on the path to improved posture, increased co-ordination and reduced muscle tension. After all, you won’t see someone who can do the splits complaining about stiffness. In an age where body building is as popular as it’s ever been, flexibility is one aspect of fitness that many ignore, having the splits as a goal of your training should ensure you don’t fall behind and slow your growth by avoiding stretching.
Have free time tonight, how do I learn the splits?
If there is one important point that I want you to take away from this article, it’s that the splits should be learnt over time and not over night. The nature of the goal will leave you susceptible to injury – if you try to rush the process. So give it time, for some the process can take years, for others months – but with the right combination of training, rest, diet and dedication I think anyone can make good progress in a relatively short amount of time. Why Diet? Maybe this step is not as important, but as you are to put your body under fairly intense pressure, the joints and muscles would certainly benefit from proper nutrition to recover from sessions and support your progress.
Stretching is clearly the key, so here’s a round up some great pages that illustrate stretches to help you reach the splits:
The Front Splits
Front and Middle Splits
Developing Flexibility Guide
Stretches for Splits
My Progress
I’ve given it some thought and have realised, it’s going to be difficult to update you on my progress using words alone – and I’ve considered getting out the measuring tape but that would lead to a discussion on where to measure from. This wouldn’t work, I still giggle at rude words. Instead, I’m going to see where I am two months from now. My plan is simple, to stretch daily for at least 10 minutes, being sure to warm up properly and hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. On October 20th 2009 I’ll be posting a picture of me doing what I hope to be the splits, if not I’ll make up for it with cute pictures of my cat, they haven’t failed me yet.
