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Normally we look to stretching exercises, and then yoga as ways to increase flexibility.

If you don't enjoy stretching and yoga, then increasing flexibility becomes a chore. What other activities are good for increasing flexibility?

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Perhaps we could help if we know what you needed the flexibility for? Are you a contortionist, basketball player, martial artist, etc? – Sparafusile Mar 18 '11 at 18:54
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@Sparafusile: I'm just a regular guy who can't touch his toes. :-) My flexibility is generally bad all over. – Jay Bazuzi Mar 19 '11 at 4:51

4 Answers

up vote 5 down vote

Any activity that requires a large range of motion will increase your flexibility, assuming you do it consistently and strive for proper technique: gymnastics, olympic weightlifting, martial arts, break dancing, parkour, climbing. Of course, dedicated stretching is going to be most effective of all, but doing some of these is better than nothing.

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up vote 1 down vote

The only activities I know of to increase flexibility are stretching. Don't look at it as a chore, look at it as a way for you to relax.

I personally find that I'm more likely to enjoy stretching if the environment is right. If I have to stretch in the middle of the weight room because the gym I'm in doesn't have a stretching area, I find that I don't enjoy it and feel like I'm going to get stepped on.

If it's a quiet area, then I find it more beneficial and relaxing.

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+1 for don't get stepped on. I have munchkins running around, and every time I lie down they jump on me! – Jay Bazuzi Mar 19 '11 at 5:30
@Jay - That would drive me nuts :) But yeh, you know what I mean. Even in the gym it's easy to get self conscious when several people are grunting around you and you are trying to focus on your breathing. – jmort253 Mar 19 '11 at 7:32
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Couldn't agree more, the environment really helps.With the summer on its way, take off to a remote peaceful place in the countryside and just stretch out / meditate, its awesome! Also (this works for me) have a whisky, it instantly relaxes me and allows me to get to my maximum stretch much faster, and sometimes further! – user155695 Apr 11 '11 at 18:31
up vote 0 down vote

AFAIK there are differences between different kinds of exercise. Runners tend to be stiff, Zumba, Salsa etc is good for the hips.

Also I think warm stretching can be more efficient than (normal cold) Yoga. Martial Arts like Ta-know-Do with stretching should be very efficient. There is also fitness "Yoga" like Bikram and Asthanga where the body is warm. (Real Yoga is IMHO better in the long term)

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While I've also found that yoga helps flexibility, so does running. Tae kwon do is also frequently taught with very inefficient stretching methods. – Dave Liepmann Oct 7 '12 at 19:22
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Try Stretching 5-10 minutes every day before you go to bed. at the end of the day, your muscles are loose so it will be easier to stretch before bed than after breakfast.

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It would help if you could make your answer a bit longer and explain whether you are basing it on your own experience or maybe quote from an article that gave you this idea. – Informaficker Oct 7 '12 at 18:57

We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer: please explain why you're recommending it as a solution. Answers that don't explain anything will be deleted. See Good Subjective, Bad Subjective for more information.

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