Gymnastics Revolution – Journal

Another excellent instructional article for parents posted by Brian Bakalar:

… Over the last several years, gymnasts have moved away from “static” stretches, where a gymnast simply sits in a split position, allowing her legs to stretch. Instead, a more dynamic approach is becoming more common for developing flexibility in the split position. …

… At Gymnastics Revolution, our gymnasts use these, and some other methods for attaining their splits. However, a far more important aspect of the development of flexibility lies in the mind of the gymnast. We challenge and motivate our athletes to develop flexibility on their own time. There simply isn’t enough time in the gym to work on every single skill every single day. We have found that engaging the gymnasts in a challenge, or sometimes just clearly requiring the work, has produced very good results in flexibility. Gymnasts who take their careers and training seriously are willing to do the work required, and this includes their flexibility.

Gymnastics Revolution – Journal

My Kinesiology professor many, many years ago told me that anyone could do full splits. Brian includes that point of conventional wisdom, as well:

Unlike many elements in gymnastics, a split is an attainable goal for anyone.

I no longer believe that to be true. Several athletes I’ve known over the years could not have been more determined, nor persistent — yet they did not get splits to the point of being able to compete them without deduction.

For good or for bad, flexibility is less important today than it was in the past. Inflexible gymnasts can become specialists.

Related posts:

using vibration to improve flexibility

the “flexibility torture book”