Is this 30$ leg stretching machine any good??

Question

I am VERY stiff, and its killing me in my karate class. I'm only 21 years old and in good shape but my stretching is just horrid. Is this cheap leg stretcher any good?

http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Claw-Steel-Leg-Stretcher/dp/B0000CA2PA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_10/105-7110106-9762855?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1192154216&sr=8-10

Also, when I try to touch my toes, my back REFUSES to arch over if I have my legs locked. Why does this happen!!! Why cant a stretch like a normal person!

Answer 1

As far as the leg stretcher goes, I wouldn't recommend it. I picked up one of those exact same kinds a couple of years back, thinking it would be a cheap alternative to the $100-$200 leg stretcher machines you see, but it seems like a poorly constructed waste of money to me. There's no place to properly seat yourself, and it's difficult to balance/brace your legs to stay on the bars. If you're too tall or too short, there's no way to adjust the length to suit your legs. The bolts at the base wear on the plastic holding and cause the three bars to start to come apart after only a bit of use. Plus, you have to manually move your legs apart by swinging the bars out, which since it's so hard to balance on the bars in the first place, makes it almost impossible to stay on while you try to swing your legs out wider. And I honestly have no clue whatsoever what that funky bar with a handle in the middle is used for. Maybe pulling yourself forward when you're doing the splits? I don't know. Overall, it's one purchase I have long regretted making.

As recommended above, finding some regular yoga classes would be very very helpful. Make sure they're not too intense with their instruction, just ease your body into it and stretch a little bit more each time. I've had similar flexibility problems for the longest time, and something that's helped me out tremendously is getting a book on martial arts fitness that had a chapter on stretching, called "Complete Conditioning for Martial Arts." I've taken to doing those stretches(or trying to) for thirty seconds each every morning. That helps a lot, though you should probably start with perhaps fifteen or twenty seconds and work your way up more and more. At my best, I was holding each stretch for forty-five seconds. I shortened it back to thirty because I rarely have time to stretch for that long in the mornings with my school schedule. When I'm in a big hurry, I only do twenty seconds each. But the morning time is one of the best times to loosen up, since your muscles are the most cramped after not being used all night while sleeping. Doing it in the evening before you go to sleep helps a lot too, since you're the most limber at night before bed and it helps keep the muscles looser during the night.

I hope these suggestions help. Just work it through bit by bit and flexibility will come in time.

Answer 2

Are you being serious?

If so, first off I would recommend asking your instructor.

Second, No. Do not buy that POS stretcher as it is more probable to do damage than any good.

Your knees do not need to be locked for a simple toe stretch. I was taught not to lock them but keep the legs bent even slightly. Also, you should be able to do this stretch without bending your back at all. That will concentrate on your hamstrings. I just stood up to check before typing this answer.

I only need to bend slightly at the back to grab the back of my thighs, which is a much deeper stretch. Don't panic though as humans have physical differences. If your instructor cannot correct this, I would highly recommend having a doctor examine your back. If you sit on the edge of a chair, can you lift your legs? That is the standard test to see if the problem is in the back.

What you are describing is not normal for someone your age unless you have had disc fusion. You could have a slight spinal abnormality that could be corrected by a chiropractor or it could be more serious. Either way, best to get it checked out now. Only caution: Do not let them operate on your back no matter what.

Also, from what I could tell both answers before this one look very helpful and solid to me.

Answer 3

It will help a little but actually some reading up and learning more about flexibility and strectching will help even more. Check out static stretching and dynamic stretching on the web as well as yoga. You will find that your breathing for one thing is very important in determining how well you can stretch. You should breath out through the mouth on the extension or work phase, and while holding the stretch for twleve to fifteen seconds breath in the the nose out through the mouth. This helps relax you and allows you to get a better stretch.

Make sure that you warm up properly before you stretch. Warm muscles strecth better than cold muscles. Also it sounds like you have a very stiff lower back. Check out some exercises for your lower back and also consider using an exercise ball. If there are any yoga classes around I would also suggest you go and watch a few and they can give you some very good pointers. You say you are in good shape but if you have not been working on your flexibility and stretching then you have lost it. That is not unusual since you start losing it in late childhood or early adolesence. Whats important to remember is that it is like muscle and/or endurance-it can be built; it just may take a little time and the right approach.

Answer 4

Leg Stretcher Machine

Answer 5

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RE:
Is this 30$ leg stretching machine any good??
I am VERY stiff, and its killing me in my karate class. I'm only 21 years old and in good shape but my stretching is just horrid. Is this cheap leg stretcher any good?...