Help! I Can't touch my toes.

[andreas17777]

Hi everyone. I'm not really a supple person, I can barely touch my knees. I've never been flexible, but recently I started riding a lot more and this has caused me to even be less flexible.

 

My question is: How does flexibility affect performance on the bicycle. Will I perform better if i'm more flexible? or am I fine as is. I'm taking cycling serious now and want to better every aspect of myself. 

 

Any advice and what stretching can I do to make myself more supple?

 

Thank You Andreas.

[Fat Boab]

Google is your friend........

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/stretches-for-cyclists-26074/

[Karman de Lange]

The theory used to be, the longer your muscles , the stronger they are. . This was 20 years ago, so no clue if still valid.  

 

You won't be as aero if you not flexible, not big issue on MTB, definitely issue on road 

 

Just get good stretching program (Sufferfest has few yoga video's, but sure there others) and you be fine in few weeks. (It is a bit painful though...)

[andreas17777]

Thank you, I will go look at the videos.

 

Any people who have experienced that stretching increased their performance?

[FirstV8]

I have been in and out of cycling many times in my life ( now 65 and started MT biking  ). I was also a swimmer and water polo player so for additional fitness i would always swim a  KM or more . This combined with cycling training kept me supple and gave me flexibility in my upper body . Stretching  i found was only useful as a warm up or cool down exercise . 

[Fat Boab]

Thank you, I will go look at the videos.

 

Any people who have experienced that stretching increased their performance?

 

Yes and no......IMO regular stretching certainly helps me feel more comfortable on the bike - less neck, shoulder and back stiffness for example - as well as keeping old war wounds from flaring up, so stretching does let me ride more and with more efforts, so in a way I feel that stretching does improve my performance, but it's probably an indirect effect for me anyway. 

[rudi-h]

being supple is a genetic thing...  sure you can get better with days and months and years worth of stretching, but don't feel bad if you're anything like me.  I have never even been close to touching my toes and i don't even resemble someone stretching when I give it my best.

 

Stretching is good for you and worthwhile doing, but IMO it is more about preventing injuries than improving performance.

[Ettas]

You can follow Dr. Kelly Starret on youtube. He has tons of useful videos on mobility and alo gives some good explanations on why he does what he does.

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/sanfranciscocrossfit

 

He also has a book called Becoming a Supple Leopard. I got mine on amazon. 

 

Increasing mobility will go a long way in keeping you injury and pain-free. 

[NelAndre]

This ^ (What Rudi-H said)

[Heel Drop]

Hi everyone. I'm not really a supple person, I can barely touch my knees. I've never been flexible, but recently I started riding a lot more and this has caused me to even be less flexible.

 

My question is: How does flexibility affect performance on the bicycle. Will I perform better if i'm more flexible? or am I fine as is. I'm taking cycling serious now and want to better every aspect of myself. 

 

Any advice and what stretching can I do to make myself more supple?

 

Thank You Andreas.

[Mojoman]

Just bend your knees.....!

[fanievb]

[Long Wheel Base]

Best post in this thread. More advise from Fanie please.

[coppi]

Depends how big your boep is........................

[andreas17777]

Depends how big your boep is........................

No boep, still young and good looking..

[Stretch]

stretch regularly and your suppleness will improve...do yoga and it will improve more.