subject: The Best Stretching for High Kicks - Helpful Facts You Need to be Aware of [print this page] The Best Stretching for High Kicks - Helpful Facts You Need to be Aware of
Athletes and performers know the importance of flexibility. With limber muscles and suppler joints, range of motion is improved, chances for injury are lessened and movements are done with ease and efficiency. One of the most commonly used move both in dancing, kickboxing and other forms of martial arts that could benefit from a good stretching regimen is kicking. When done in conjunction with strength training, stretching for high kicks involves lengthening the muscles in the hip and joint areas. In particular, the hamstring muscles need to be stretched for a higher, more effective kick. The hamstring muscles are those located in the back of your leg. It begins above your hip and inserts into your leg just under your knees. When you extend your hips such as what happens when bend your knees to bring your feet towards your buttocks, your hamstring muscles contract. The same thing happens when you flex your legs. In order for you to kick high, you need to flex your hip, that is, you need to stretch your hamstring muscles so you can lift your leg straight without bending your knee. If you don't stretch your hamstrings regularly, it will never be limber enough for those high kicks.Stretching for high kicks can be done through dynamic stretches. In this kind of stretch, you strive for a full range of motion by constantly moving your hips while observing correct alignment and form. Upon waking up in the morning, you can do front, back and side kicks. Try doing anywhere from 10 to 15 repetitions for each kick to achieve full hamstring stretch. Another hamstring stretch to enable you to do higher kicks is static stretches. These are gradual and sustained stretches. For example, you can lie on your back and extend your leg, bringing it towards your upper body. Before you begin your static stretches, you need to warm up your muscles first. As such, they are better performed after a workout exercise, particularly after a heavy aerobic activity. PNF or proprio-neuromuscular facilitated stretches are done together with a partner. For instance, you can lie on your back with both legs up as your partner puts his shoulders behind your knees to give you resistance. Your partner then pushes your legs towards you as you try to resist the movement. Another PNF exercise that you can also do is to lie on your back with one leg up. Contract your hamstrings while your partner resists the movement. You do the same to the other leg as well.Stretching for high kicks can only be made possible if you flex your hamstring muscles. Strong and flexible hamstrings are crucial to higher kicks. If you want to make your kicks reach the skies, then doing dynamic, static and PNF stretches regularly is a must. Observe proper form and technique and make sure that you warm up beforehand so you avoid straining your muscles or injuring yourself unnecessarily. If you stick to your regimen faithfully, you should be kicking high soon enough!Want to lose weight and keep it off forever? Read my complete Hip Hop Abs review and discover how easy it is to lose weight with the Hip Hop Ab workout.
