Its Like everything in life. But nice Video for motivation. I think consistency is very important with mobility and flexibility as you said;) And I agree stretching sucks :D
Tom Merrick i've lost a lot of flexibility due to not stretching in my hamstrings. Just want to say thanks for taking the time to make a great video and it's good for a lot of people to see that just because you lost it, doesn't mean you can't get it back!! Great job Tom
As a 63 old man, I need to stretch everyday half hour mornings and evenings to feel like 19 again. I do a light jog, sprint, limber for 10 mins to warm up and stretch. If I miss even one day the body turns 63. I stretch each finger and toe and all the joints and tell my body to relax as I sink into the stretch and hold for a minute to reprogram muscle memory. At my age, just the feeling of being 19 again is reward enough. Thank you for your tip on recording linear progression and your valuable insights on the splits. I shall endeavour and eventually get there. As an aside, losing weight especially the belly area and quitting alcohol will change the daddy body and mindset. The aging body is a symptom of a body under immense stress. Stretching away the stress is the key.
Tashi Hishey Smart analysis. As a 19 year old man, I’ve started flexibility and mobility training as I’ve always struggled with it, and I know it can enhance my training. I’m excited to see how I’ll feel doing it daily until I’m 63. Good luck with your goals!
johnnypools No sir, aside from flexibility every night I do core (abs) every day, and upper body and lower body back to back days with one day rest after. Grinding hard.
Anwesha K no answer? I’ll share mine instead. I’m 3 weeks in. I stretch at least 5 days a week but usually 6 days per week. I’m focusing on legs and back. I want to get front splits and middle splits. I am about 18 cm from ground on my good leg and 25 on my bad leg. Front split is like 40cm. Haha I’m like an acute angle. I’ll post again in 4 weeks if you’re interested. Hows your progress?
Geraniums Becerra good, as in I’m still stretching almost everyday. As for progress, I dont really see any yet. The stretches feel the same, unnatural and kind of hurty. But I will keep at it. How about you?
Just turned 59 - more important than ever to keep and increase flexibility - so, long term project, keep going and going...no pain, no gain i assume, continued consistency . thank you Tom.
I am 64 and have been practicing yoga for nine years. I have practiced very consistently with good teachers. I am definitely more flexible and mobile than before I started yoga. However maybe because I started in my mid fifties, there are things that really are just not happening ( like the splits). However, I am still very happy with my body. I haven’t been to a yoga class since the stay at home orders started, but I practice almost day with online teachers. I do find that I can’t take off more than a day or two from my practice. My flexibility and balance deteriorate rapidly, though I quickly snap back to my baseline. Also as one gets older, with all the wear and tear from various things ( in my case, running as a younger woman, pregnancies and forty years on my feet as a nurse), just take their toll. However, this is young man is very correct. Choose a good practice, maintain it consistently and thoughtfully and your patience will be rewarded.
Great video as usual. Inspiring to see how mater of fact you are about the whole thing. No magic involved. Find a routine and put in the work consistently,. Your transparency and openness with your past struggles gives you lots of credibility. Great job as always.
I’ve been practicing for 4 months now and I’m starting to see a big difference in my middle splits. Your videos have been a huge help 👍👍👍 Embrace the suck, indeed!!
this video is really good - a straight up answer for the people who don’t have much time and a longer answer for people who want specifics. really good!
Thats it. I run in to similar problem. I just realised im not flexible enough and my athleticism suffers from it. Nice to see the journey like yours. Lets get going with this mobility!
You have no idea how relieved I was when I saw this video. I always have thought there was something wrong with me that was halting my stretching. I can now see this in a new light that it's normal. Thanks a bunch!
Same here. I see people do easily fold forward while sitting down when I hardly could touch my calves. I am pretty tall and I thought it's my body compositions falult (maybe longer legs). But it's just about consistent progress. I just discovered yesterday that I could do the crow pose. I tried every week and failed and it happened suddenly yesterday. So consistency consistency consistency.
‘Embrace the suck,’ hahahahahaha! Really like your honesty and yeah mobility is slow, I do yoga, every morning, Crossfit pt during the week, I’m 54 year old female four years post breast cancer and it’s been flipping slow road to recovery. It’s about progress, every win, no matter how small is a win, Pluss having an awesome trainer, that’s a win in itself. I really enjoyed your video, new sub from Aussie, enjoy your week
I am just at the start of my journey to getting flexible. And I totally understand the feeling of it just sucking. I have noticed some improvements of the last few months so that is good but I am still a long away off where I want to be. I will give your videos a try and add them to my mobility palylist.
I'm in the same boat as you.. Recently started doing Taekwondo, so flexibility is a must. Noticed a few slight improvements over a month and a half or so.. But it's not as much as I'd like yet lol
Nice the mention of document and NOT PlANNING, people usually tends to do a lot of plans, and they keep writing, talking and planning, and 0 results cuz u dont control the future, how about doing the things first and then write. Very interesting point. Documenting the process
Hello! I just found Tom's channel today while chatting with my coworker about hip mobility. I'm 47 and am now paying for living full-throttle when I was young. I was recently diagnosed with multiple lumber herniations, cysts, and advanced facet degeneration - mostly on my left side. I watched Tom's 12-minute video on hip mobilization and followed along (the best I could). This single 12-minute routine gave me more pain relief and improved my mobility than any other modality I've tried. Ever. I'm getting emotional typing this because I haven't had any significant pain relief or notable improvement in my range of motion in over a decade. Pain has negatively affected every aspect of my life. And then today, I walked for 20 minutes. That may not seem like a big deal to most, but I haven't been able to walk for more than 5 minutes before I start shaking and sweating uncontrollably. I used to be an avid runner but was forced to stop completely about 6 years ago. The pain was unbearable while running and left me in debilitating pain for days after a 5K. Now, I have hope that I can go back to doing the things that bring me joy. Thank you, Tom, from the bottom of my heart. Just reading the comments reveals a community filled with kind, supportive, and helpful people. So glad to have found you all. Thank you!!
I’ve been doing bodybuilding as well and after i got a lower back injury I started looking for the reasons why i had this injury and it appeared that I’m stiff and i lack flexibility so I’m here on your channel to benefit from your videos ,great content!
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve been struggling to feel like I’m making any progress with mobility/flexibility in a “timely fashion” and this really helped to put things in perspective
You are just wonderful- very thoroughly thought thru, simple to follow and motivational. I stumbled across you accidentally and I’m so glad I did! Thank you for putting this together and sharing your knowledge so readily. 🙏🏻💕😎
I’ve been doing yoga for several years, but only a month ago I started researching on how to improve my flexibility and saw his videos. I’ve seen more progress since then than all of the years I’ve been doing yoga 🙈. I feel like I’m getting closer to doing full splits and pancake. Thanks Tom!!!
Funny. Because all these stretches are already prescribed in yoga. Maybe you went to a wishy washy western yoga teacher. Because my yoga teacher here in India makes us do these stretches everyday along with sun salutations. Because most often than not yoga is more about stretching than strength training.
Been working on my flexibility lowkey for years, I think I need to push some more. Should I put in more seconds in the stretch? I'm kinda scared of snapping myself. xD
Ugh, Ive always been decently mobile because of swimming, but now I wanted to get to next level as I got into breakdance. Embracing the suck is actually a very spot on thing to say XD. That uneasy painful feeling when you're stretching is just so hard to deal with. It kinda feels like you're hurting yourself for no reason. Anyway vids like these are good for encouragement :D
I'm 70 years old and 2 years out from cancer. Trying to get mobility back. A friend recommended you yesterday and I subscribed. I'll just have to see what I can get.
Peace be to you! I'm watching this at the end of 2019 (Dec. 28th)! I subscribed two years ago!😅 Consistency is ABSOLUTELY, THE key to anything! When I was 21, I could almost do Van Damme- like stretches because I was taking karate! Now, I'm 51 and super stiff. My goal for the end of 2021, is to get that flexibility BACK, Lord willing (insha'Allah)! Thanks SO MUCH for your advice and expertise! I'll let you know how it goes! You're AWESOME!😊👍🏾
I'm almost 52. I run and have health issues that cause stiff muscles. Took up yoga and daily stretching 4 months ago and I see really good progress already. The 1st video I used from you was to squat and it is something I can just do now! I feel so much better for the effort!
Great video - one of those questions we all like to know the answer to :) I'm 55 and thanks to YT and guys like you, I'm conscious and taking the action to make the improvements so I can row with full motion (especially in the hip and ankle area). Many thanks :)
Thanks Tom! I started to realize I needed flexibility/ mobility training for my well being at this tender age of 33😅 It is real that when you hit 30s, you start to feel things. Thank you for your easy to follow videos, especially for a beginner like me. I hope I'll make better of this. God bless you, Tom! Keep it up. 😊
I am 35 and I can't even touch my knees. It's my goal to touch my toes one day and I'd always wondered if it's possible to increase flexibility that much over several years. Great to see that it's possible. Thanks for the vid.
I recently decided to start Figure Skating, at 23 is pretty late to get into competitive, but the first step I was told is to work on my flexibility, balance and strenght ( I had a surprise seeing how weak my lower body was, I used to do Leg Press with 500-600 pounds, but boy it helped nothing in my jumps, stretch and balance.) Someday I'll at least land a triple or at least a consistent sequence of doubles, and I'll have many people to thank for giving me inspiration to pass the beginner level of every aspect of body training.
Thanks for the insight. Props to not giving up. I could almost do the splits when I was young about 10 I got about 4 inch from the ground. I remembered the last bit to complete splits took forever. I then stopped.. now 41 my goal is to achieve full splits. I have been suffering Achilles tendinitis and realizing my mobility is so so bad. Now affecting how I pick up weights in the gym and I changing my movement to compensate. Two weeks in I feel unbelievable, I have a long way to go but I get there.
It's nice to here the same old story but with a visual progress report this has truly inspired me to stick out certain routines for longer now. I've had short term results with many practices but then gave up when things went sideways. I feel more confident to push through now. thanks mate
Tom Merrick what I also found to be fucking amazing was when you said that "there is nothing stopping you from doing the splits it's just in your head" (I'm paraphrasing). I happened to be in a very clear headed zone when you said it and I just flat out believed it and got fucking low as fuck I could have I was probably 20cm off the ground and I could feel that it was only me stopping it from happening. There is no actual restriction I'm just flexing to stay up. I can't wait to get ads to grass
Maybe one thing to ALWAYS keep in mind: look at professionals that can do the thing you want to do. In this case: who is most mobile while also extremly athletic? Tumblers, yes, but also dancers, especially ballett dancers. You wont find anyone more flexible, stable and yet "cat like" than a professional ballett dancer. Look at their excercises. Incredible for mobility training.
I have stretch my muscles for one month yet,started 18.09.2019.I have pain in lower back and with hip flexor, see you guys again in one year. Like this so i dont forget to post.
ok maybe this is luck but I did this 20 minute routine before work yesterday and for the first time in YEARS (thanks to a combat injury) I didn't feel pain in my lower back. I'm not flexible at all. In fact when you're sitting with your legs spread out and reaching in front of you...I can't even get my upper body past 90 degrees without my hamstrings burning :/ But I feel great after this 20 minute video so I'm going to keep doing it!
I feel a tight sharp pain at the back of my left knee when I try to do middle splits. I also get knee pain on my left when I walk a lot. I want to get my splits but the pain discourages me. Any ideas?
Oh, dude I randomly came across one of your videos while searching for hamstring mobility stretches. I saw your flexibility and range of motion and thought to myself 'okay that's awesome but this guy was obviously always just super flexible'. Seeing this video now makes me realize that wasnt the case, you started out where I am now, and even though I'm 31 and can only barely touch my toes and I can't lay on my back and raise my straight leg to 90 degrees, that all hope is not lost in terms of my mobility and flexibility. So that's it. I'm starting a daily stretching routine, and I WILL DO the front split, side split, pancake, pike, and handstand/variations on or before age 35, as well as continue to stretch and be mobile into my later years. Thank you for this video!
Me : an other video where he never gonna say how really long does mobili... After 30sec of videos Tom : it's gonna take you 6 months. Me : ... okay Like your contents since a long time brother! Thank you 🙏
Hello! Você conhece o Brasil? Do you know Brasil? Mobility Flow is starting here now, I am going to start taking classes and I am passionate about this mobility. I'm loving watching your videos and learning a lot. Gratitude
Front lever is elite-tier bodyweight exercise. Seeing progress in flexibility in 6 months isn't really comparable... it could take years to attain lengthy full front lever.
Embracing the suck... I've been searching for 3 plus years for that method that would change everything and give me super quick progress, but then get discouraged after a month (sometimes less) then give up... Embracing the suck is real, it's the truth! As long as you're not hurting yourself and you're using PNF and even maybe loaded exercises (depending on your initial strength) you will make progress -In 3 months with consistency you will see some great progress in flexibility and strength. Embrace the suck! (Well said Tom)
I've been in active recovery since my latest surgery which I had 3 years ago, before that I'd had my chest cut open 13 years ago which as a much easier ecovery than this last one. I go forward then backwards alot, but I have never given up and every year I'm like wow I am so muhc better than last year even though I'm no close to how I used to be. The fact that that reveals I have yet to reach a plateau or end point... It drives me forwards to see how far I can go even though it's been super slow cause the pt ppl didn't even know how to help me after a core muscle was removed and I'd already had a neck one removed. I had to figure it out on my own and I'm doing it and ur videos are helping me do it! ❤️
I did find my flexibilty improved after one month after doing gentle yoga for about 3 times a week. For example, getting closer to touching my feet in some poses. I have been putting off doing yoga due to episodes of knee pain and back pain. in am above mid 40s. Ryan.
Excellent that someone shows the way and that it’s not another 3 weeks deal. I’m really driven to stick with this and in a few years get the flexibility I want
One question. Should I stretch the muscles I've trained in a day right after my training session or at night before bed? I've heard that stretching right after a session decreases the muscle growth potential.
Stretching BEFORE training decreases muscle building/strength. Not after working out :) I'll put the study here journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2009/10000/Acute_Effect_of_Static_Stretching_on_Rate_of_Force.35.aspx
Hello Tom, I have recently started doing stretches and exercises to improve the squat, pike position and back bridge. I try not to be fully focused on progress, but rather enjoy the journey. With that said, it is age that seems to be consistently worrying me. Do you know (from experience or research data) what age marks the upper limit for progress in mobility & flexibility? And is it different for the various stretches? (e.g. splits are harder to achieve than squats at older age?) Your insight is appreciated.
I think, as with a lot of things, age does make things harder however it isn't a limit. If you look to the yoga world there is some incredibly flexible people on the older end of the spectrum. Diet also plays a very large role in this too :)
@@angeleenmasih8421 probably form, some people initially struggle to hit depth or keep their heels on the floor throughout the movement due to mobility so it is definitely easier to hit depth with greater mobility
I recently found your channel and I'm so happy I did! Thanks for all the great content. My middle splits are terrible; you've given me hope! My question is this: how much time did you invest in flexibility training to get the results you did? Do you train flexibility daily? For how long each day?
Thanks Michelle and welcome! There is always hope. I personally did 30 minutes daily stretching with 2-3x per week intense sessions when I saw my best results. Currently I do 2 intense sessions per week for some movements as well as 5-10 minutes daily just to grease the groove to maintain :)
I have been stretching for a while now...years, and I just don’t seem to be getting the results I wanted, however that’s is probably how bad I was when I started. Bodybuilding style training for 20 years made me stiff, I never stretched and to be honest I probably overdo it sometimes and I am really interested in maybe doing some pnf stretching. I like your honesty and really need some advice on getting my flexibility better. Great video by the way.
I’m going to take a picture of my progress everyday or other day from now until i can do an entire front split and upload it if it turns out good. Well, i’ll try at least.
Find the right practice, put in the work, repeat and results will come!
Thanks Tom For Sharing!Best way to document is instagram :D Its very true just be consitent and one day it just clicks
Its Like everything in life. But nice Video for motivation. I think consistency is very important with mobility and flexibility as you said;) And I agree stretching sucks :D
100%, especially with mobility :)
Tom Merrick i've lost a lot of flexibility due to not stretching in my hamstrings. Just want to say thanks for taking the time to make a great video and it's good for a lot of people to see that just because you lost it, doesn't mean you can't get it back!! Great job Tom
Tom Merrick cool man I have always been curious about this.
As a 63 old man, I need to stretch everyday half hour mornings and evenings to feel like 19 again. I do a light jog, sprint, limber for 10 mins to warm up and stretch. If I miss even one day the body turns 63. I stretch each finger and toe and all the joints and tell my body to relax as I sink into the stretch and hold for a minute to reprogram muscle memory. At my age, just the feeling of being 19 again is reward enough. Thank you for your tip on recording linear progression and your valuable insights on the splits. I shall endeavour and eventually get there. As an aside, losing weight especially the belly area and quitting alcohol will change the daddy body and mindset. The aging body is a symptom of a body under immense stress. Stretching away the stress is the key.
Tashi Hishey Smart analysis. As a 19 year old man, I’ve started flexibility and mobility training as I’ve always struggled with it, and I know it can enhance my training. I’m excited to see how I’ll feel doing it daily until I’m 63. Good luck with your goals!
@@WarriorOfTheLight00 Me too.We don't give up
johnnypools No sir, aside from flexibility every night I do core (abs) every day, and upper body and lower body back to back days with one day rest after. Grinding hard.
amen! when i get old i still plan to keep active as well
@@jackster330 I am old 53 And i can tell you after keeping consistent with this I feel invincible It's incredible. It really works
Because you gave a straight answer, I watch the whole thing. Other content creators should take a leaf from your book 👊🏼
th-cam.com/video/45GlG-85JLw/w-d-xo.html
Or a page
Me too
6 months is what he said. There now u can skip the video.
dwayne carter you the man
Thanks
dwayne carter I literally came straight to the comments to ask someone to tell me😂 thanks!
I thank you so much
This is not true.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
00:26 - The 6-month rule
01:11 - Routines
01:38 - My flexibility story
03:14 - Middle splits
03:49 - Stay consistent
04:38 - Close
Honestly, as a trainer and former dancer who never got my splits because of chronic injuries, this was really inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Best of luck Casey
3 takeaways: Find the right routine, Stay consistent, and Embrace the suck. Brilliantly said! I need to start at step 1.
So did you?
Better start with 3. after you practised that a year you can search a routine...
"Embracing the suck"....couldn't have said it better haha
t-shirt coming soon haha
Made me giggle a little
Embrace the suck and results will come.
Embrace the suck # davidgoggins
J G HOOAH
I have just started my flexibility journey too and I'm 19, you a big inspiration
Omg same!! How's your progress now? I started a month ago
Anwesha K no answer? I’ll share mine instead. I’m 3 weeks in. I stretch at least 5 days a week but usually 6 days per week. I’m focusing on legs and back. I want to get front splits and middle splits. I am about 18 cm from ground on my good leg and 25 on my bad leg. Front split is like 40cm. Haha I’m like an acute angle. I’ll post again in 4 weeks if you’re interested. Hows your progress?
Sophie how is it going rn?
Geraniums Becerra
good, as in I’m still stretching almost everyday. As for progress, I dont really see any yet. The stretches feel the same, unnatural and kind of hurty. But I will keep at it. How about you?
@@Sophie-il9jk post your progress again pls, im just starting as well
Just turned 59 - more important than ever to keep and increase flexibility - so, long term project, keep going and going...no pain, no gain i assume, continued consistency . thank you Tom.
embrace the suck my friend haha
As a 56 year old it is always nice to watch a vid that inspires you to get more flexible even if it takes a lot of work and time so thanks.
"its all about embracing the suck" this is the truest statement Ive ever heard in the fitness industry
I am 64 and have been practicing yoga for nine years. I have practiced very consistently with good teachers. I am definitely more flexible and mobile than before I started yoga. However maybe because I started in my mid fifties, there are things that really are just not happening ( like the splits). However, I am still very happy with my body. I haven’t been to a yoga class since the stay at home orders started, but I practice almost day with online teachers. I do find that I can’t take off more than a day or two from my practice. My flexibility and balance deteriorate rapidly, though I quickly snap back to my baseline. Also as one gets older, with all the wear and tear from various things ( in my case, running as a younger woman, pregnancies and forty years on my feet as a nurse), just take their toll.
However, this is young man is very correct. Choose a good practice, maintain it consistently and thoughtfully and your patience will be rewarded.
Great video as usual. Inspiring to see how mater of fact you are about the whole thing. No magic involved. Find a routine and put in the work consistently,. Your transparency and openness with your past struggles gives you lots of credibility. Great job as always.
Thanks as always! Keeping it honest. I don't want to trick people into thinkings its a 30 day fix :)
you look like a fit mrbeast
Yeah
oh no 😂😂
Hahahahaha he does 😂
I don't see it
Haha they actually look like eachother
I’ve been practicing for 4 months now and I’m starting to see a big difference in my middle splits. Your videos have been a huge help 👍👍👍 Embrace the suck, indeed!!
That middle split makes me wince. I can just imagine my knee dislocating
this video is really good - a straight up answer for the people who don’t have much time and a longer answer for people who want specifics. really good!
Gonna take me six months to get off the damn couch!
It's a year ago now, you must be doing the splits and pancakes by now. Share your progress 😁
@Ashvin Vaidyanathan To whom do you pose question?
Legend has it, he’s still trying to get off that couch.
How's it going for ya?!
Hey, Who's GONNA CARRY THE BOATS?!
You've given us so much free content that I come back to time after time... thank you Tom
Thats it. I run in to similar problem. I just realised im not flexible enough and my athleticism suffers from it. Nice to see the journey like yours. Lets get going with this mobility!
You have no idea how relieved I was when I saw this video.
I always have thought there was something wrong with me that was halting my stretching. I can now see this in a new light that it's normal.
Thanks a bunch!
awesome! how is it going now 3 years later?
Same here. I see people do easily fold forward while sitting down when I hardly could touch my calves.
I am pretty tall and I thought it's my body compositions falult (maybe longer legs).
But it's just about consistent progress.
I just discovered yesterday that I could do the crow pose.
I tried every week and failed and it happened suddenly yesterday. So consistency consistency consistency.
‘Embrace the suck,’ hahahahahaha! Really like your honesty and yeah mobility is slow, I do yoga, every morning, Crossfit pt during the week, I’m 54 year old female four years post breast cancer and it’s been flipping slow road to recovery. It’s about progress, every win, no matter how small is a win, Pluss having an awesome trainer, that’s a win in itself. I really enjoyed your video, new sub from Aussie, enjoy your week
It's too true...It's all about working to take steps in the right direction and eventaully reaching the destination :)
"Embrace the suck." - Tom Merrick 2017
Love the "straight answer" approach.
I am just at the start of my journey to getting flexible. And I totally understand the feeling of it just sucking. I have noticed some improvements of the last few months so that is good but I am still a long away off where I want to be. I will give your videos a try and add them to my mobility palylist.
All those little improvements add up to big ones over time :)
DavidIsaiah looks like a handle you buy for pushups? Maybe try a yoga block, or anything for stability
Where you watch video? Im also on way for flex
Gymnastics push up bars - order or make your own with pvc pipes...
I'm in the same boat as you.. Recently started doing Taekwondo, so flexibility is a must. Noticed a few slight improvements over a month and a half or so.. But it's not as much as I'd like yet lol
Nice the mention of document and NOT PlANNING, people usually tends to do a lot of plans, and they keep writing, talking and planning, and 0 results cuz u dont control the future, how about doing the things first and then write. Very interesting point. Documenting the process
Hello! I just found Tom's channel today while chatting with my coworker about hip mobility. I'm 47 and am now paying for living full-throttle when I was young. I was recently diagnosed with multiple lumber herniations, cysts, and advanced facet degeneration - mostly on my left side. I watched Tom's 12-minute video on hip mobilization and followed along (the best I could). This single 12-minute routine gave me more pain relief and improved my mobility than any other modality I've tried. Ever. I'm getting emotional typing this because I haven't had any significant pain relief or notable improvement in my range of motion in over a decade. Pain has negatively affected every aspect of my life. And then today, I walked for 20 minutes. That may not seem like a big deal to most, but I haven't been able to walk for more than 5 minutes before I start shaking and sweating uncontrollably. I used to be an avid runner but was forced to stop completely about 6 years ago. The pain was unbearable while running and left me in debilitating pain for days after a 5K. Now, I have hope that I can go back to doing the things that bring me joy. Thank you, Tom, from the bottom of my heart. Just reading the comments reveals a community filled with kind, supportive, and helpful people. So glad to have found you all. Thank you!!
Embrace the succ
I’ve been doing bodybuilding as well and after i got a lower back injury I started looking for the reasons why i had this injury and it appeared that I’m stiff and i lack flexibility so I’m here on your channel to benefit from your videos ,great content!
As soon as I read “(My Journey)” I knew it takes a long time.
Thank you for sharing this! I’ve been struggling to feel like I’m making any progress with mobility/flexibility in a “timely fashion” and this really helped to put things in perspective
Ill stop right there, I dont need more things that suck
What?! HahahahahahahahHahah!!
Lol
You are just wonderful- very thoroughly thought thru, simple to follow and motivational. I stumbled across you accidentally and I’m so glad I did! Thank you for putting this together and sharing your knowledge so readily. 🙏🏻💕😎
I’ve been doing yoga for several years, but only a month ago I started researching on how to improve my flexibility and saw his videos. I’ve seen more progress since then than all of the years I’ve been doing yoga 🙈. I feel like I’m getting closer to doing full splits and pancake. Thanks Tom!!!
Funny.
Because all these stretches are already prescribed in yoga.
Maybe you went to a wishy washy western yoga teacher.
Because my yoga teacher here in India makes us do these stretches everyday along with sun salutations.
Because most often than not yoga is more about stretching than strength training.
Been working on my flexibility lowkey for years, I think I need to push some more. Should I put in more seconds in the stretch? I'm kinda scared of snapping myself. xD
Ugh, Ive always been decently mobile because of swimming, but now I wanted to get to next level as I got into breakdance. Embracing the suck is actually a very spot on thing to say XD. That uneasy painful feeling when you're stretching is just so hard to deal with. It kinda feels like you're hurting yourself for no reason. Anyway vids like these are good for encouragement :D
I'm 70 years old and 2 years out from cancer. Trying to get mobility back. A friend recommended you yesterday and I subscribed. I'll just have to see what I can get.
Peace be to you! I'm watching this at the end of 2019 (Dec. 28th)! I subscribed two years ago!😅 Consistency is ABSOLUTELY, THE key to anything! When I was 21, I could almost do Van Damme- like stretches because I was taking karate! Now, I'm 51 and super stiff. My goal for the end of 2021, is to get that flexibility BACK, Lord willing (insha'Allah)! Thanks SO MUCH for your advice and expertise! I'll let you know how it goes! You're AWESOME!😊👍🏾
Ameen.
Starting with your flexible full body routine tonight. Love your videos man!
so glad i found this channel. it's really hard to find good stretching advice.
These exercises look very much like yoga poses. I've being practicing yoga for one year now. Just starting to see some good results.
I'm almost 52. I run and have health issues that cause stiff muscles. Took up yoga and daily stretching 4 months ago and I see really good progress already. The 1st video I used from you was to squat and it is something I can just do now! I feel so much better for the effort!
Great video - one of those questions we all like to know the answer to :) I'm 55 and thanks to YT and guys like you, I'm conscious and taking the action to make the improvements so I can row with full motion (especially in the hip and ankle area). Many thanks :)
how is it going with you fitness journey?
Bro such a good content. Thank you very much for uploading
Hello from Loughborough! Realised that I trained with you 2 min into the video, then saw myself in the background
Aye, now that is mad!
Amazing video! giving context with your experience is a huge help when working on my own flexibility goals.
0:30 6 months is what it took me to get my middle split lol. Cheers
Nice! Took me 12 haha
It also depends on your natural flexibility. Some people are a lot 'stiffer' than others so it might take you longer to get there
Thanks Tom! I started to realize I needed flexibility/ mobility training for my well being at this tender age of 33😅
It is real that when you hit 30s, you start to feel things. Thank you for your easy to follow videos, especially for a beginner like me. I hope I'll make better of this.
God bless you, Tom! Keep it up. 😊
I am 35 and I can't even touch my knees. It's my goal to touch my toes one day and I'd always wondered if it's possible to increase flexibility that much over several years. Great to see that it's possible. Thanks for the vid.
How is the toe touching mission going?
Great video. Really appreciate the honesty about the process.
You are a big inspiration Tom...Hope to see you someday
Glad to be of service :)
loved the stretches, instructions, breathing techniques hope to find more like this on your channel.
thanks jacob :)
I'm having a very difficult time to Improved my split stretching only 80% reach but Im getting there and never back down 💪🏻
I recently decided to start Figure Skating, at 23 is pretty late to get into competitive, but the first step I was told is to work on my flexibility, balance and strenght ( I had a surprise seeing how weak my lower body was, I used to do Leg Press with 500-600 pounds, but boy it helped nothing in my jumps, stretch and balance.) Someday I'll at least land a triple or at least a consistent sequence of doubles, and I'll have many people to thank for giving me inspiration to pass the beginner level of every aspect of body training.
Best of luck
Congratulations for your evolution and thanks for share!
Thanks Jose :)
Thanks for the insight. Props to not giving up. I could almost do the splits when I was young about 10 I got about 4 inch from the ground. I remembered the last bit to complete splits took forever. I then stopped.. now 41 my goal is to achieve full splits. I have been suffering Achilles tendinitis and realizing my mobility is so so bad. Now affecting how I pick up weights in the gym and I changing my movement to compensate. Two weeks in I feel unbelievable, I have a long way to go but I get there.
It's nice to here the same old story but with a visual progress report this has truly inspired me to stick out certain routines for longer now.
I've had short term results with many practices but then gave up when things went sideways. I feel more confident to push through now.
thanks mate
Great to here, it's all about that consistency :)
Tom Merrick what I also found to be fucking amazing was when you said that "there is nothing stopping you from doing the splits it's just in your head" (I'm paraphrasing). I happened to be in a very clear headed zone when you said it and I just flat out believed it and got fucking low as fuck I could have I was probably 20cm off the ground and I could feel that it was only me stopping it from happening. There is no actual restriction I'm just flexing to stay up.
I can't wait to get ads to grass
Embrace the suck! Love the honesty. Finally someone was upfront and honest
Maybe one thing to ALWAYS keep in mind: look at professionals that can do the thing you want to do. In this case: who is most mobile while also extremly athletic? Tumblers, yes, but also dancers, especially ballett dancers. You wont find anyone more flexible, stable and yet "cat like" than a professional ballett dancer. Look at their excercises. Incredible for mobility training.
I have stretch my muscles for one month yet,started 18.09.2019.I have pain in lower back and with hip flexor, see you guys again in one year. Like this so i dont forget to post.
No more pain in lower back, in the morning i dont have pain like before. 24.11.2019
7.12.2019 I start doing sit ups with 3kg.
ok maybe this is luck but I did this 20 minute routine before work yesterday and for the first time in YEARS (thanks to a combat injury) I didn't feel pain in my lower back. I'm not flexible at all. In fact when you're sitting with your legs spread out and reaching in front of you...I can't even get my upper body past 90 degrees without my hamstrings burning :/ But I feel great after this 20 minute video so I'm going to keep doing it!
Have you kept up with it?
Great video man, it's pretty inspirational to see your own journey into something that is so often overlooked. Loved the video
Thanks dude, trying to share honest experience here :)
Do you do power yoga ever?
Do you find that your flexibility helps you in sports? Injury prevention?
power yoga is a load of bull
@@bibeeeek Are you sure?
@@mattmgarza 100% lol
I love the sequence of your progress
Found everything I was looking for by 1:09
“Embrace the succ.”
Thanks for the motivation !!! I’m a Dancer and I always use to neglect stretching
6 months of doing it everyday?
Depends what it is but 3-6 months and you'll see progress :)
You said you stretched every night. Did you do it even when your muscles were sore?
I feel a tight sharp pain at the back of my left knee when I try to do middle splits. I also get knee pain on my left when I walk a lot. I want to get my splits but the pain discourages me. Any ideas?
Oh, dude I randomly came across one of your videos while searching for hamstring mobility stretches. I saw your flexibility and range of motion and thought to myself 'okay that's awesome but this guy was obviously always just super flexible'. Seeing this video now makes me realize that wasnt the case, you started out where I am now, and even though I'm 31 and can only barely touch my toes and I can't lay on my back and raise my straight leg to 90 degrees, that all hope is not lost in terms of my mobility and flexibility. So that's it. I'm starting a daily stretching routine, and I WILL DO the front split, side split, pancake, pike, and handstand/variations on or before age 35, as well as continue to stretch and be mobile into my later years. Thank you for this video!
Tyson Ogloff awesome man 🙏 it’s all possible given time and consistent effort :)
Wooooooooooooowww. It is soooo good to see it
Im definitely gonna video like you did, that progress montage was ace! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Me : an other video where he never gonna say how really long does mobili...
After 30sec of videos
Tom : it's gonna take you 6 months.
Me : ... okay
Like your contents since a long time brother!
Thank you 🙏
Hello! Você conhece o Brasil? Do you know Brasil? Mobility Flow is starting here now, I am going to start taking classes and I am passionate about this mobility. I'm loving watching your videos and learning a lot. Gratitude
6 months for good progress sounds pretty good when I’ve been training front lever for 7 months and still haven’t gotten a proper front lever.
Front lever is elite-tier bodyweight exercise.
Seeing progress in flexibility in 6 months isn't really comparable... it could take years to attain lengthy full front lever.
Another piece of good information. Thank you for your tips
Embracing the suck... I've been searching for 3 plus years for that method that would change everything and give me super quick progress, but then get discouraged after a month (sometimes less) then give up... Embracing the suck is real, it's the truth! As long as you're not hurting yourself and you're using PNF and even maybe loaded exercises (depending on your initial strength) you will make progress -In 3 months with consistency you will see some great progress in flexibility and strength. Embrace the suck! (Well said Tom)
100% the key haha, to be honest for most things in life that is the case :)
Tom your stuff is awesome, really impressive young fella
I lolled so hard at the “embrace the suck”xx
MsJenn1985 yes,,lets embrace it together,Jen
I've been in active recovery since my latest surgery which I had 3 years ago, before that I'd had my chest cut open 13 years ago which as a much easier ecovery than this last one. I go forward then backwards alot, but I have never given up and every year I'm like wow I am so muhc better than last year even though I'm no close to how I used to be. The fact that that reveals I have yet to reach a plateau or end point... It drives me forwards to see how far I can go even though it's been super slow cause the pt ppl didn't even know how to help me after a core muscle was removed and I'd already had a neck one removed. I had to figure it out on my own and I'm doing it and ur videos are helping me do it! ❤️
I wonder how this applies to a mid 40s guy? Twice the time?
Sean
no way
I did find my flexibilty improved after one month after doing gentle yoga for about 3 times a week. For example, getting closer to touching my feet in some poses. I have been putting off doing yoga due to episodes of knee pain and back pain. in am above mid 40s. Ryan.
Sean doing light stretching should help remove your pain and keep your progress
kamiced ok thank you kamiced
Sean for you back pain I suggest you try planks exercises it helped a ton for me . And for your knee I suggest you try leg curls. I hope this helps..
Appreciate your work, great job!
Everyone I posted this on November, 7th, 2018
I will edit this once I have do my splits.
Its january 2, is there any small change ?
Poople_ Noodles anything changing
Do you have your splits yet?
Excellent that someone shows the way and that it’s not another 3 weeks deal. I’m really driven to stick with this and in a few years get the flexibility I want
One question. Should I stretch the muscles I've trained in a day right after my training session or at night before bed? I've heard that stretching right after a session decreases the muscle growth potential.
Shouldn't be an issue here. Post workout is the best time as it helps solidify used ROM. No issues with muscle growth :)
Leonidas Desert You might want to forever ignore where you heard that. Strength gurus promote stretching after heavy lifting
Troy Edwards I'm totally sure it's scam, but I wanted an outside opinion. I also feel that post workout stretching speeds up muscle recovery
Stretching BEFORE training decreases muscle building/strength. Not after working out :) I'll put the study here journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2009/10000/Acute_Effect_of_Static_Stretching_on_Rate_of_Force.35.aspx
Stretching after a workout is perfectly fine and won't affect you! Your muscles will be affected if you stretch BEFORE your workout.
Love that you start this off with the short answer first :)
I can almost do the middle split and it's been only a week of training. I never knew I was that freaking flexible.
Anxiety Celery I hate you. Nah, I love you
Hello Tom,
I have recently started doing stretches and exercises to improve the squat, pike position and back bridge. I try not to be fully focused on progress, but rather enjoy the journey. With that said, it is age that seems to be consistently worrying me. Do you know (from experience or research data) what age marks the upper limit for progress in mobility & flexibility? And is it different for the various stretches? (e.g. splits are harder to achieve than squats at older age?)
Your insight is appreciated.
I think, as with a lot of things, age does make things harder however it isn't a limit. If you look to the yoga world there is some incredibly flexible people on the older end of the spectrum. Diet also plays a very large role in this too :)
What do you mean by improving the squat? Like the form or it helps you lift more weight?
@@angeleenmasih8421 probably form, some people initially struggle to hit depth or keep their heels on the floor throughout the movement due to mobility so it is definitely easier to hit depth with greater mobility
Love the garden!!!
I recently found your channel and I'm so happy I did! Thanks for all the great content. My middle splits are terrible; you've given me hope! My question is this: how much time did you invest in flexibility training to get the results you did? Do you train flexibility daily? For how long each day?
Thanks Michelle and welcome! There is always hope. I personally did 30 minutes daily stretching with 2-3x per week intense sessions when I saw my best results. Currently I do 2 intense sessions per week for some movements as well as 5-10 minutes daily just to grease the groove to maintain :)
Thanks for the reply! I'm going to aim for 15-20 minutes daily to start and work up to some intense stretching.
May you make video about nutrition and eating habit?
Great content!
Have you noticed any changes in your run or jump ability after becoming more flexible?
Not really. Mobility done well is about increasing strength through full range of motion :)
Tom Merrick hav you got taller after stretching that long?
I have been stretching for a while now...years, and I just don’t seem to be getting the results I wanted, however that’s is probably how bad I was when I started. Bodybuilding style training for 20 years made me stiff, I never stretched and to be honest I probably overdo it sometimes and I am really interested in maybe doing some pnf stretching. I like your honesty and really need some advice on getting my flexibility better. Great video by the way.
My karate trainer made us do full middle splits in one training, he wouldnt let you get up until you do it.
Sounds brutal but also a good way to get injured :)
my trainer taught me to overhead press 225lbs in one training session. I am now deceased.
NimW 😂😂😂
Thanks for the info. Stretching is very underestimated in most people's workout routines.
I’m going to take a picture of my progress everyday or other day from now until i can do an entire front split and upload it if it turns out good.
Well, i’ll try at least.
Love that right off the back he gave us the info we came for
Embrace the succcc
Really good video!