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April 27, 2007

Weights and Splits

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Before I get to today's questions and answers, a notice:

FDA has revealed plans to reclassify all vitamins, supplements,
herbs--and even vegetable juices--as FDA-regulated drugs. The
document is called Docket No. 2006D-0480, "Draft Guidance for
Industry on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and
Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration."

If the FDA gets its way, supplements and herbs will become illegal,
and gardeners who grow their own medicinal herbs may be arrested.
Luckily, the FDA is allowing public comments on this until a May 29th
deadline. This means that people can petition against this regulation.
Here's one of the petitions:
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=7185

Now, back to our main subject.

Today I answer an e-mail from a powerlifter who wants to do splits.
My answers and comments are within the body of his message.

> Dear Mr. Kurz,
>
> I am 44 years old. Stopped powerlifting 5 years ago to more actively
> pursue TKD. I lift according to your video and have iron boots. I
> can almost do a front split but am far from a side split.
>
> I own several of your books and videotapes. I stopped martial arts
> training over a year ago due to hip pain. I sought the help of an
> Applied Kinesiologist as you have advised and do not experience hip pain
> any longer. However, when I kick, especially roundhouse, my hips ache.
> My kicking form is correct and has been analyzed by several high level,
> competent martial artists.

Comment: How competent are those martial artists? As "competent" as
those who caused you the hip pain in the first place?

To learn the biomechanically sound form of kicks, that does not
cause hip pain, see Power High Kicks with No Warm-Up! (available at
http://www.stadion.com/power.html).

> For over 20 years I was a bodybuilder/powerlifter. I know they are two
> different disciplines. I mixed techniques from both to achieve my
> desired effect of both strength and size. At one time I could squat
> 700 lb. with very good form. I never stretched when lifting. Could it
> be that my hips are just "too tight" and will never loosen up?

Answer: It could be that your hips are tight--if you did not move
through the full range of motion in your squats. And if so, then
doing proper, deep squats should loosen up your hips.

You say, you "could squat 700 lb. with very good form." I doubt
that your form was as good as that shown by Ivan Chakarov on this
video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4919278076999364233.
(Don't pay attention to stupid comments, such as those on
"blowing a knee out," etc.)

If you can't access that video, then read my description, with
pictures, of a good squat form at
http://www.stadion.com/column_stretch22.html.

If your form differed from that, then it was not very good, and
therefore not helping to achieve splits.

> Specifically:
>
> 1. Would you say that my hips are "tight" in the first place because I
> was able to lift so much weight?

Answer: Once again: If your hips are "tight" it is not because how
much you lifted but rather how you lifted. If you didn't (and
don't) squat well and low, then no wonder you have trouble with
splits. I wrote quite a lot about importance of low squats for hip
flexibility and strength.

> 2. Could some sort of medical professional look at x-rays of my hips
> and tell if the angle of the bones are such that I should not kick? I
> have had x-rays taken and my AK doctor said I do not have coxa vara.
> An orthopedic surgeon stated that my hip x-rays looked fine and saw no
> unusual wear & tear on them.
>
> Jeff

Answer: They already did--you wrote so above--and their opinions
are that your hips are normal. So what do you want--an excuse?

Sincerely,

Thomas Kurz

P.S.
DVD Power High Kicks with No Warm-Up! is available at
http://www.stadion.com/power.html.

DVD Secrets of Stretching is available at
http://www.stadion.com/secrets.html.

Book Stretching Scientifically is available at
http://www.stadion.com/stretch.html.

P.P.S.
You can read my recent e-mails with questions and answers on
training. They are archived at
http://www.stadion.com/mailings/mailings.html.

Exchange tips on working out and competing, and discuss training
and performance problems on Stadion's Sports and Martial Arts
Training Discussion Forum at http://www.stadion.com/phpBB3.
Let your friends know about the above-mentioned resources.
Forward this message to every athlete you know.

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