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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can you do the splits?

57 replies

SunshineOverStress · 03/04/2020 23:32

Very random I know, but can you do the splits? If so, how long did it take you and how often do you stretch now?

I want to be able to do them and have been daily stretching for a week so far, I’m 28 so don’t know if age will have a role to play or not!

OP posts:
Pukkatea · 04/04/2020 00:44

Ok whoever said flexibility is the easiest thing to work on - I've been doing programs that have increased my running speed by 20s per km in 10 weeks, doubled my squat weight, but done absolutely NOTHING for my flexibility despite DOUBLING my flexibility workouts. They say it's the slowest thing to change...

Notimeforaname · 04/04/2020 01:00

Six to eight weeks is optimistic

In my experience teaching and body conditioning, I've had quite a number of clients do a side spit after two months of training every day.

Notimeforaname · 04/04/2020 01:01

Side split!!! Not spit! Grin

mrsBtheparker · 04/04/2020 01:06

I can split a scone and cover with cream and jam. Does that count?

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 04/04/2020 01:08

I can't, have never been able to, but my Nanna could do them well into her 80s! She was a dancer and kept her suppleness and figure all her life. Her mother was a Tiller Girl and was also "bendy" right through her life.

h3av3n · 04/04/2020 01:09

Yes, I stretched daily for a couple of months following youtube videos advice, now I stretch when I can be bothered but can still do them

Balmytissues · 04/04/2020 01:09

No, but here's a video of me trying

Hadjab · 04/04/2020 01:11

This is weird! My youngest and I were watching Joseph this evening, when one of the dancers did the splits. I said that’s my goal - to be able to do the splits by the time lockdown is over!

SnipSnapPop · 04/04/2020 01:12

I used to be able to as kid, alas much too fat now lol

Mulanlin · 04/04/2020 01:12

Nope!

DustyMaiden · 04/04/2020 01:55

I can, I’m 58 only do it in the swimming pool these days. I have hyper mobility.

EmeraldShamrock · 04/04/2020 01:57

No never even as a child.

managedmis · 04/04/2020 01:58

Hahhah 😂

Pieceofpurplesky · 04/04/2020 02:19

I used to be able to and am sure I still could. However I wouldn't be able to get back up so best not try

Patsypie · 04/04/2020 02:25

Yes, both types! I do them at some point everyday. It's very satisfying

user1473878824 · 04/04/2020 03:03

I can put one leg behind me with my knee bent and then cry?

packetandtripe · 04/04/2020 05:23

yes with an hour warmup, I used to also be able to fall into a crab, walk back in legs and feet where my head was in my crotch - great party trick until you are old and your hips and spine have aged 20 years prematurely because of all those shenanigans. what an ass

CuntyMcBollocks · 04/04/2020 05:28

Yes I can. I've always been quite flexible and can still do a few other things too at the age of 35.

cece · 04/04/2020 06:39

Yes I can.
Age 53. But I do a lot of yoga.

PaperFlowers4 · 04/04/2020 06:52

6 weeks!! Shock

When I was a kid doing gymnastics I had 2 training sessions a week plus an hour of ballet plus a 2 hour dedicated conditioning session with my coach, plus endless stretching at home and it still took me over a year. Closer to two years for my left leg.

missclimpson · 04/04/2020 06:54

Yes I still can. Aged 70. Use it or lose it.

Marieo · 04/04/2020 06:56

Just about, but I did a lot of gymnastics and dance when younger.

ZaraW · 04/04/2020 06:58

No. Not everyone can. It depends on skeletal structure. I've been doing yoga regularly for six years and not even close though I have tight hamstrings. My teacher told me people from Asia find it easier something to do with the difference in hip sockets or something can't remember exact details. One of the few people in my intermediate class who makes the splits look easy is from Japan.

MissMarks · 04/04/2020 08:01

Paper flowers- totally agree! My daughter was training 15 hours a week for a couple of years and didn’t have all three splits.

Neron · 04/04/2020 08:20

I can, I've always been bendy and am hypermobile in some of my joints too (pelvis being one of them)