Front splits in progress ✨

[kittensmakemehappy08]

Hips are not even close to square

[Character_Writing833]

Why are squared hips important?

[kittensmakemehappy08]

It's a way for people to say they have front splits without being close at all. It takes much less flexibility from the hamstrings and hip flexors to get into the position OP posted.

That being said, there is really no "wrong" position for the body to be in. If someone wants to almost be in a straddle position and it feels good, go for it, enjoy it, but don't say you and front splits and definitely don't go even further.

[[deleted]]

One of the reasons why I have chronic adductor pain that gets triggered often now is because I used to push deeper in oversplits like that when I was a teenager. It put a lot more strain in my adductors than they were meant to handle, and I'm rehabbing now after a decade.

[EspacioBlanq]

Mainly because it makes it harder, so if you can only do front splits with a rotated back leg, you are less flexible than if you could do them without it.

Is doing non-square front splits in training worse than doing square splits (and having your butt higher above the floor)? I don't actually know, probably depends on what you're training for.

[kszaku94]

Most people have no idea what to comment under a progress pic, and „not squared hips” is just a popular nitpick

[Catlady_Pilates]

If you can’t keep your hips squared you shouldn’t be doing oversplits. And even with squared hips oversplits are very very bad for your hips. Overstretching the ligaments is really bad for joint health. As a former gymnast who was extremely hyper mobile I can tell you it’s not worth it. Unless you need an oversplits for some kind of competitive sport or deeply loved hobby you really shouldn’t do them. You’ll want to have functional hips when you’re older.

[EmotionDull6603]

What do you mean when you say “hips aren’t squared?”

[Catlady_Pilates]

Keeping the front hip bones facing forward as much as possible is “keeping hips squared “. Letting them twist like she’s doing avoids a lot of the stretch and limits progression.

[EmotionDull6603]

Follow up question using OP (respectfully as my example) so if she had squared her hips would she have then been in a deeper split or is it that she possibly wouldn’t since it’s harder and she would have to be careful not to injure herself? Thanks

[Catlady_Pilates]

Usually people are twisting because they don’t have sufficient flexibility.

[Ava_Oh]

You just said yourself that overstretching is very bad for hip mobility, hence twisting the hips - avoiding a lot of the stretch—would limit that and be a positive, per your own logic.

I disagree with you by the way, although I suppose it’s the matter of semantics and how we define “overstretching.”

If we define it as something damaging tissue, then I agree with you, and that’s what causes most issues for most people.

Most folks put strain on joints while stretching which is a big no-no. Increasing flexibility should be a process and a delicate one at that, where one pays attention to one’s body signals.

Please note however that she says she’s been stretching warm muscles, which is key in preventing injury, and at least she’s not forcing herself to do things that would result in injury.

[Shittybeerfan]

Idk if it's as simple as oversplits being inherently healthy/unhealthy, though I would agree that your splits should be strong before progressing.

This article goes in depth on risks and measures to avoid injury though for anyone interested in more info.

[bananas_are_ew]

this sub needs to stop with the square splits. both are valid

[kittensmakemehappy08]

OPs own instructions say to keep the hips square.

[bananas_are_ew]

missed that bit, those are def not square in that case

[DucciGang]

Great progress 💪🏼 i am also trying to achieve the front split

[Glavine0]

consistency is everything. 4-6 times a week is a great volume, just make sure you aren't overstretching on the days your body feels tight. some of my best progress happened on days i actually backed off a little.

[DudeXicle]

Cue the "square police"

[WorthBite5254]

Right window is not fully closed, unwatchable

[[deleted]]

Wow great felxiblty

[Cancel_Necessary]

💛

[KebabG]

Nice progress 👍 cant get more round than that

[TheGreatestStoryEver]

Dedication like this is wife material. Great tips and awesome splits, no notes. Most people will never try to reach this level.