How to Build a PVC Leg Stretcher
If you are involved in martial arts, you might want to increase your physical flexibility. With the help of a leg stretcher, you can stretch the muscles on the inside of your legs. The stretcher helps you improve your kicking techniques and your maximum range of leg motion. Instead of buying a leg stretcher, you can make your own using PVC pipes. Leg stretchers made of PVC pipes are sturdy, smooth and can hold your weight as you do exercises.
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Things You'll Need
- PVC piping
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Masking tape
- Ratchet-style PVC pipe cutter
- 2 T-pieces of PVC pipe
- PVC glue
- 4 tubes of hard foam
- Scissors
- 2 flat pieces of metal, 6-inch
- 3 bolts, 3-inch
- 6 nuts
- Welding iron
- Electric drill
- Wrench
Instructions
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1
Measure the PVC piping you will use for your leg stretcher with a measuring tape. You will need two pieces of pipe three feet long and one piece two and a half feet long. Make a pencil mark at the lengths of each pipe. Wrap masking tape around the pipe at your mark.
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2
Cut the pipes along the side of the masking tape with a standard ratchet-style PVC pipe cutter.
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3
Swab a small amount of PVC glue on the inside of the T-pieces of PVC. Push the T-pieces on the ends of the 3-foot pipes. Wrap masking tape around the ends of the PVC poles to cover sharp edges.
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4
Cut a 1/2 inch slit in each tube of hard foam, with scissors. Slip one tube of foam over each end of the T-piece on each of the 3-foot poles. Slide the pieces into each other to fit onto the T-piece.
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5
Weld three 3-inch bolts onto a 6-inch piece of metal with a welding iron. Position one bolt at each end of the metal and one in the middle. The bolts should be evenly spaced about two inches apart.
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6
Drill holes on the other 6-inch piece of metal. Position one hole at each end and one in the middle, evenly spaced about two inches apart.
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7
Drill a hole in one end of the 3-foot poles and the 2 1/2-foot pole. The holes should be on each side of the poles and should be parallel to each other, about three inches from the ends of the poles. Drill holes that are the same size as the bolts you used in Step 5.
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8
Place the PVC poles onto the metal and bolt on the piece you made in Step 5. Fit the holes at the end of each pole onto the bolts on the metal piece. Place the two longer poles on the outer bolts and the 2 1/2-foot pole on the center bolt.
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9
Put a nut on each bolt to secure the PVC poles. Hand-tighten the nut; leave it loose enough so the poles can move back and forth.
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10
Place the piece of metal with the holes on top of the bolts sticking up from the poles. Place nuts on each bolt to hold the metal in place. Secure the nuts with a wrench.
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Tips & Warnings
Work quickly with PVC glue as it dries very quickly. Wipe off extra glue immediately.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Silhouette of martial arts kick punch. image by Joyce Wilkes from Fotolia.com
