Seated Straddle Splits Stretch

Series Summary

Working out helps build healthy bone density, muscle strength and joint mobility. It reduces general health risks, boosts the immune system and helps with depression and insomnia. Whether the goal is to lose weight or improve muscle mass, working out promotes a healthy body and mind. Try traditional stretching exercises from a seated or supine position to loosen up the legs, hips and lower back. Watch as a fitness trainer demonstrates a number of traditional stretches including; the seated straddle splits, inverted hurdler, supine hamstring, knee hug and twisted pretzel stretches. Loosen up muscles by properly warming up for running and other sports with training tips and techniques in this free fitness video series.

Video Transcript

"This traditional stretch is called the seated straddle splits. This is going to be a great stretch that you can do for your inner thighs, your lower back, your hamstrings. So what you want to do is you want to come down to a seated position. Separate your legs as far as you can. Now I always like to say, "Take your junk out of the trunk." And get right there on those sits bones. You might even want to manually spiral in those legs. And that helps to put you in that forward position. Now, flex your feet towards you as hard as you can to get a full extension in your hamstrings. And then take your hands and walk out as far as you can. Now it's very important that while you're holding your stretch, you want to think about breathing in through your nose and out through your nose. And every time you exhale, see if you can go a little further into your stretch. And your focus is, is to lower the chest as close to the floor as possible. As you hold this stretch, your muscles and your tendons start to give way and you can go a little further. And that is your seated straddled splits. Make sure that you hold that stretch for at least thirty seconds."