PLIATES

[JASONDECHERT]

I AM NOT VERY FRLEXIBLE AT THE MOMENT WILL PILATES HELP?

[Joesportstalk]

Yoga would be better for you than Pilates at first .

Start with a gentle yoga class, not a power yoga class.

Do you stretch in the morning or evening at home? if not start there first it will help you a lot .

[JASONDECHERT]

I RECENTLY STARTED STETCHING BEFORE BED BECAUSE I READ SOMEWHERE IT HELPS THE BODY RELAX NAD GET INTO A DEEPER SLLEP BECASUE THE BLOOD FLOOS MORE FREELY THROUGH THE MUSCLES. I DONT THINK I AM FLEXBLE ENOUGH FOR YOGA YET

[DianaB]

If you are not flexible enough for yoga, forget about pilates.
Try beginners yoga.
WHAT'S WITH THE CAPS??
d.

[Joesportstalk]

I saw your other post, where you said you were big, and I am sorry but I did not catch your age.

If you are large and /or older then it is of utmost importance to begin slow and easy.
do not try to rush things, but flexibility is a very key component for yoou to work on for sure.

This will prevent injury, help circulation, and make you feel terrific in the process.

Be sure to warm up your joints, and stretch at least 15 mins or as long as possible every morning ( do not do dynamic stretching moves yet , ones where you bounce around at all) Be sure to do static stretching moves for now, ( ones where you keep a continuos stretch without bouncing the mucsle for at least a 15 second count, ) again go as long as 30 count if you are able to, or work toward that as your goal.

Start with warming up your muscles and joints, by rubbing your muscles, and rotating slowly all your joints, ( shoulders, wrists, elbows, hips knees, ankles) then begin stretching all of your larger muscle groups first and you should begin to warm up and feel better each day.

Be sure to use your breath with each movement in your stretch.

The best thing to do , is go to your local book store and get a book o stretching moves and try the ones that fit your level of fitness for starting out ( remember a key factor IS START SLOW AND WORK UP TO HARDER ONES ) no need to rush or you will hurt yourself and burn out easy.

Borders bookstores, and Barnes and noble all have good stretching books.

I would start there first.

good luck to you man, and give it time you will be glad you did for sure .

[JASONDECHERT]

I am 28 years old. Right now I am doing basic stretches. the one stretch i do tha stretches the muscle by your thigh. Is when i bend my leg at and try and hold the foot while keeping the other leg out straight i cant get the knee portion to stay on the ground is that still working?

[Boss Man]

Give a basic Yoga class a try. If it's not your bag, you've learned something at least.

If needs be, possibly do a little Exercise Bike, for about 3-5 minutes beforehand, to build up core temperature and boost blood flow, and then that might make a slight difference before hand.

[swanso5]

joe, why not dynamic stetching yet...that would be the first thging i'd get him to do, albeit on a beginner level

mate simply moving more wuill free up your tight area's...static stretching is pretty overrated really...how many times during the day do you bend over to pick up a pen but hold that position for 30secs??

static stretching does have it 's place and yes before bed is best but try and do it in a warm room where you have a mild sweat for best results

you so it then because then the muscles can repair when your sleeping...when you stretch you are actually "tearing" the muscles although on a very microscopic scale

[Joesportstalk]

joe, why not dynamic stetching yet...that would be the first thging i'd get him to do, albeit on a beginner level

mate simply moving more wuill free up your tight area's...static stretching is pretty overrated really...how many times during the day do you bend over to pick up a pen but hold that position for 30secs??

static stretching does have it 's place and yes before bed is best but try and do it in a warm room where you have a mild sweat for best results

you so it then because then the muscles can repair when your sleeping...when you stretch you are actually "tearing" the muscles although on a very microscopic scale

Don't get me wrong, I love dynamic stretching....

But for this persons level of percieved knowledge and size, if he is not instructed properly on the dangers of dynamic stretching , injury is more likely to happen to him. ( That is what I meant to try to convey)

If a large person has a novice and sedentary limberness to them they may not know the limits or designs on the proper bouncing or moving.

I would agree with you, if he was under supervision and instructed then dynamic is fine. he indicated he was a.) Large b.) a beginner c.) doing it at home alone so I factored those issues in my suggestion for him as best as possible on a message board.

p.s. I love reading your suggestions to people here, you are very knowledgable and helpful. keep up the great work for sure.

[swanso5]

noit all dynamic flexibility work has to be ballistic, passive can be used to such as deep squats and lunges for the hips, lat, chest mobilisations for upper body etc...