Heya Flexablity-freques. I’ve been on a huge flexibility kick as of late due to the inspiration of both Rob Van Dam’s presence in the WWF and my recieving Pavel’s “Relax in tro Stretch”, possibly the best written and easiest-to-read-and-follow guide within the bodybuilding/strength training realm. Anyone else working on the full split among other fear-inducing motions? I’m near 180 on the floor. I also have my own lift which I’ve dedicated a post to here (Split leg press). At some point I plan on attempting Van Dam’s lift (Split leg single dumbell lift. HE hold’s the record having lifted a 166.5 lb. dumbell). So who’s with me? Or at least willing to drive me to the chiropractor’s? Lata.
"MB Eric: It's hard down here at the top of the bottom..."
I can do the splits thanks to Marco Lala. He’s a karate dude that is awesome. His videos are outstanding! I’ve never heard of Jean-Claude doing that with a dumbbell before. How does he do it again? I’m not sure if I understand.
Marco Lala?! Holy S, I haven’t heard that name for such a long time. His stuff is pretty good. I never had his flexability books but his weight training, endurance, and iron conditioning books were good. I’m with you M Boy Eric! I have Pavel’s Beyond stretching. however, I can usually do a split within two weeks of stretching, even without stretching for years (which I plan on doing when Tae Kwon Do starts again this month). Hey Rudy, what Marco Lala books do you have?
Ditch Pavel’s crap, he’s just trying to make a fast buck without actually understanding what the hell he’s talking about.
Case in point: he likes to always spout off the old line about “testing” for the splits. He didn’t create it, it’s completely wrong, yet he still says it because people like to hear it.
The “test” says to stand up and put one foot on a chair or ledge so that leg is at ninety degrees from the other one. Supposedly this shows that there is sufficient ROM to do the splits. The fallacy here is that when you do that, you tilt your pelvis, which means what you’re actually doing is a 90 degree split. Pretty pathetic.
Another misdirected piece of "advice" Pavel tells: there are no muscles conecting that legs together so the muscles don't need to be "lengthened" to achieve the splits. That's irrelevant as anyone can see that the issue is how far the muscle can stretch from the pelvis, which does require muscle "lengthening" stretches.
For a better read than that drivel, try Science of Flexibility.
YEah Dawg, that’s how I draw 'em in. And yes, it’s RVD (Rob Van Dam) who pulls off this stunt. Cheque it owt at his site (www.rvd.com). It;s a sick looking manuever and soemthing of a goal and-a-half to train for. Lata.
“MB Eric: We’ll get the the benefits of flexibility later…”
I know you like Pavel’s books or at least I think you said so. Correct me if I’m wrong. However in this regard do you agree with Vulcan or Pavel? What are your thoughts. Thanks Coach.
Vulcan:
Who wrote the science of flexibility and where do you get it. Thanks Vulcan.
Checked out that site YIKES! I think I’d end up in wheelchair trying that, it’s certainly something to work to. My flexibility is pretty crappy and I need to give it more of a focus, that photo may have to be my goal. MB you’ll have to post a photo somewhere when you do it, good luck.
you are right, I really like Pavels work. As it pertains to flexibility training I think there is a wide assortment of programs that people should try and implement. Glad to hear that you are our taking your flexibility training so serious - I only wish others did the same. If I can help please feel free to ask. In faith, Coach Davies
Thanks for the response Coach. Confession #1. I have been out of training for a while. Therefore I will be taking my flexibility very seriously when I start back up.
How come you think Pavel is off base. I wasn’t sure exactly what you meant with your comments about his “flexibility tests”. In particular, I didn’t understand what you meant about the pelvis tilt.
I followed his advice and can now do full splits on chairs - haven’t tried it with a dumbbell though - it should be great for the glute-ham attachments.
