Call me crazy.. I will be 60 this year... love body building and seeing how strong I can get. (Been doing it for 40 years) For the last 5 years I have been working on handstands working into handstand push ups. This has evolved to figuring out how to do pike handstands. Even though I work on flexibility, it sucks. I realize That the progression is being able to properly do the pancake. I kinda figured that my flexibility was never going to get better.. I am stoked excited with these videos... with the fact that I need to be patient and change the way I stretch. Sooo cool!!!! Thanks 🙏
Indeed, and it actually encouraged me to practice middle splits even more since I don’t need to wonder why i cannot get to the floor after practicing over one week / one month... 6-18 months is more realistic to most people...
I'd love to see a similar front split journey video though, if possible - you have lots of videos on middle splits and I really like them, but in front splits, only one - it would be cool if you could add some more material on the front splits as well! Thanks
Your videos are really motivating to get back to since-elementary-school-long-forgotten flexibility routines, getting back to middle split training. Thank You, Tom!
Great video! Following your program for 6 months now, seeing amazing strength and middle spit progress. Ordered your bands to show my appreciation for making these great videos. THANK YOU!
Thanks for this Tom , I've always wanted to be able to do full splits. Got close a few times and am going to have to start from stiff position. I've got a hard 12-18 months I guess. Great work and thanks for the realistic advice. Very refreshing to hear real information.
It's good that you showed the cold position. From cold I look like I've never stretched before. When I'm warm I can do an oversplit with a 12 inch step. Some dancers and gymnasts can always show amazing flexibility, even when cold, but there are a lot of people with good splits that can't...
Good morning Sir. Thanks for posting this video. I'm working a program presently to increase my mid splits. I re-engaged in Taekwondo last May, two weeks shy of 56 and I'm finding that time puts some limits on my physical capabilities. But I'm moving along, albeit slowly, and having tons of fun doing it. Thanks for posting Mr. Merrick; I'll continue to watch and comment.
Thank you for this video! I retired from gymnastics 10 years ago and lost my splits. Now i am trying to get them back for ballet 😁😁 thank you for making this xx
I was dancer from age 3-18 and could never get middle splits. I’m 24 now and about 10 months back into dance training. My biggest issue then and now is that the splits and associated stretches for the splits kill my knees to the point where they feel like they’re going to burst. I’m trying to embrace the suck and just focus on getting a flat pancake/straddle stretch and hoping for the best for middle splits.
Yeah it usually takes a year to achieve a certain advanced yoga pose. Of course with dedication, goal oriented, and passion. It’s been a month now since quarantine, I was able to achieve my front split. Been trying for months and now after a month for almost everyday n regular practice. It’s so fulfilling.
hey tom. really liking all of your movement videos. there are really inspiring. can you make sort of a video to improve squats depth (when the torso lean forward as you try to go deeper into the squat, i guess its probably revolve the dorsiflextion and tibilias?), thanks in advance and keep up those informative videos!
Did Karate for 8 years 72 to 80 .Could do the front splits and the full lotus yoga position.Could never master the ( we called them ) Box splits. the full side splits gave me a high front kick and a good high Billy Jack head snap kick ( keage jodan ) even today at age 79 i can kick that high and turn on a light switch with my left foot. needed the fullbox splits for a high side kick or mawashi geri ( roundhouse ) .But had to be satisfied with good side splits. Got to say not many in our dojo could do either.
I’ve been doing your 20min stretch routine, started your front split routine and am getting super flexible. I’m almost at a full front split. This is my next series, once I’m done getting front splits!
Its refreshing to see another person who started off in poor position. Im excited to start this program. My flexibility is poor and it hinders my Martial Arts training. Cannot wait try train i will post a response video..
Thank you so much - your video gave me the reasurance that I can do it. I just need to be consistant! I'm making the experience as well that the last 20cm are way harder so I was worrying that it was possible, but I didn't feel any bone to bone problem so there was still some hope which made me consult youtube again 😉
I'm 50 yrs old and I'm just starting working on the splits. Is it better to work on the front splits first and then the side, or can you do both. I'm in no hurry, I'm guessing It will take me a couple of years, but I was wondering what your thoughts were? I stretch for about an hour a day, 6 days a week.
This is so motivating thanks so much. I'm at 6-7inches off the ground and I started my training about 7 weeks ago, back then I was 9 inches. I was gonna stop because I was getting disheartened but now I'll keep going haha. Thanks so much Also can you do the front splits
Your videos are awesome 👊🏿 Thank you. I've stretched EVERY day for the past 2-3 years and still don't have the middle splits 😞 Think I need to focus a bit more...
Hello Tom I’ve been practicing martial arts for 40 years now. I’m 54 and used to be pretty flexible but had a few years absence in training due to illness. I’m back training hard now and flexibility is slowly returning. Could you do a video and explain the P&F exercises
What about the knees? Get so much presion starting the split from stand up position.And u were correct hips rotation at the 22th of October how it could be? I don't know your age but get 180 degrees in one years it's hard to believe.
Tom - I love your videos! I am trying to incorporate more or the mobility/movement work from the likes of you and Ido Portal into my Crossfit routine. I love Crossfit, but at 45 years old, and a few injuries including an achey lower back, I realize the important of more mobility/movement work.
Nicely done! Every time i try to do the middle splits i get a cramp in my left hip that prevents me from getting any deeper into the position. Anyone had this problem or have any tips of what i can do to prevent this?
It's your hip bone jamming into your pelvis. Tilt your pelvis forward. Get one of the books of Thomas Kurz and you will understand all you need. With his methods, anyone can achieve the splits in six months
Thanks for another great vid! Question: I don’t have access to weights because I’m constantly traveling, would it be effective to simply do the 3 exercise pnf routine as a relative beginner in middle split training? I’m currently at about the same point as you were when you first started.
Hey did you lost your middle splits? This is 4 years old now, 10 months ago you uploaded a V2 version of the middle split routine. How is it going, do you do the splits still? Do you still train it every now and then?
Hello, so I am wondering if you think someone should do both loaded and pnf at the same time, start, with one, then transition, and do both, or use one for every workout?
Hi! Can you comment a bit on APT Vs PPT? In your earlier loaded middle split video you talk about APT and it looks like you're progressing with APT and forward feet - however in this video you clearly have upward feet and PPT. Is there specific training for each or do you progress with one and switch to the other? I get knee pain exercising MS and I think it's to do with incorrect hip rotation.. thanks for the videos!
Definitely APT to get full splits unless you're genetically gifted with the right hip anatomy. I also found that for my personally I need feet up to get flat but still APT.
Your thera band and weight adaptations to stretching, which also adds strength and resistance and not just flexibility. Good job! To be flexible think flexible and be very creative, enjoy the time stretching and above all just relax and breathe. Stretch every day, anywhere, anytime, it is the secret to staying youthful and enjoying life♡
Is the front splits a requirement to get middle splits? I want to get my middle splits first (24 months down the line probably) as my abductors are just horrible. However, I'm wondering if I should do the front splits first. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you!
I've tried the program for 6 months and I didn't see any progress. This makes me think I'm doing something wrong or I'm not ready yet for middle split. I took a break off the program to do work on some End range exercise and strengthen my adductor. I'm getting back to this in the next couple months.
Hi Tom Congratulations on achiveing your middle splits. One year is fast! With the benefit of hindsight if you were starting again how would you do it? For example, would you skip your initial exercises and move directly to the PNF routine? Thanks.
Thanks John, umm I don't know. I don't think to do just the PNF is best as you need a good level of flexibility and mind muscle awareness to make the most of it. I think a combo is still good :)
Hi Tom good morning. I’m 42. Do you think age is a variable to take into account when it comes to stretch? I mean, It took you 12 months of consistent work. But you are on your 20’s. How about a person on his 40’s?
This guy didnt start any mobility training until he was 41, he is a beast, his method works, there is nothing like it out there. instagram.com/bodyflexx/ So much control, no high reps, short workouts, no foam rolling or trigger point nonsense....
For some, for God knows, reason I got my middle splits in 3 months yet don't have front splits in 5 months. After I found a good few tutorials it took me legit 3 weeks.
This is now realistic. Even my 12 year old brother got it in 2 months. I am like 7 cm away from ground with in 2 months. I hope i am gonna finish it in 1 more month. What i wanna say is that just dont get intimidated by the amount of time it takes just start doing it.
Thank you so much for this video!!! Did you find that you got more of a pinching painful feeling or a stretch painful feeling while achieving this? I keep getting almost a pinching and I am wondering if it is even possible for me to get this?
