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The Bendy Blog: Flexibility Training Articles
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Why Are My Hamstrings Tight? (and How to Fix Them)
If you have tight hamstrings, you’re not alone! Unless you have a regular stretching practice as part of your workout routine, odds are you can’t touch your toes. Don’t worry, that’s is a pretty “average” level of flexibility in our era of so much sitting.
But why are they tight? And what can you do to help loosen them up so you aren’t getting so much carry-over tension in your low back?
Work Your Y-Scale with PNF
I love working on active flexibility (which is why I make it such a big part of all my classes), especially PNF-style contract-and-release stretches. Y-Scales are a fun one to apply PNF to since they’re a little “easier” than traditional splits, but still very much a cool shape!
Wall Heel Slides for Tight Hamstrings
If you have tight hamstrings and trying to touch your toes in a standing forward fold feels like a laughable exercise - it’s time to switch up your stretch. While there’s nothing “wrong” with a good ol’ forward fold, for the less flexy among us it’s honestly not an ideal exercise to start with. Give these Wall Heel Slides a try instead!
Knee-Friendly Hip Flexor Stretches
Not everyone’s knees like the good ol’ “knee on the ground hip flexor lunge” - here are a couple of knee-friendly hip flexor stretches that you can do without unpleasant knee pressure.
Build a Better Hip Flexor Stretch
Got tight, lazy hip flexors? Here are three exercises to whip them into bendy shape!