Flexibility for dudes

ohenry78

Hello!

One thing that I am starting to see a great benefit of during my weight loss journey is stretching and general flexibility. I recently started taking time before my workout to stretch and warm up all over (instead of just a few quad stretches and no more) and working out has really felt different -- I feel like I get into it more, and more easily, than without stretching.

So, I'm thinking of starting my days with a routine like this. I've heard great things about both Yoga and Pilates. The problem is, I'm a male and I'm not very flexible at all right now.

Does anyone have info on any sort of yoga or pilates videos (DVD's, youtube videos, etc) that would be good for a man, who also is not flexible at all at this point?

(PS -- I don't meant to be sexist -- if these things are the same for men and women, that's great. It's just that most of the videos I've seen are just women )

matt2442

Well id say go to a class but you want to just do it at home then thats fine too. Go to doyogawithme.com

Ive done the multilevel morning flow, connections to core, backbending from base, and foundations in flow. The multilevel class is really good especially if youre a beginner and youll notice a difference in your flexibility if you keep at it.

baileybiddles

You're not sexist at all! People often have the common misconception that yoga is really only for women. This is sooo not true. I go to yoga 2-3 times a week in an actual class and half the class, if not more, is usually men who are far more talented than I am!

When I started yoga a few months ago I literally couldn't even touch my toes. Now I can stretch far enough to grab the bottoms of my feet with my whole hand. It really does improve flexibility like you wouldn't believe, so go, even if you aren't flexible. Especially if you take a class instead of doing a DVD. In a class, your instructor will come up to you and assist if they see incorrect form or that you're not pushing hard enough. You can very seriously hurt yourself doing yoga if a) you're not flexible already or b) you don't have any experience. I love my class and it's only 25 bucks a month for unlimited yoga where I go. Highly affordable and highly worth it. I see muscles now that I didn't know existed!

MidwestAngel

Well id say go to a class but you want to just do it at home then thats fine too. Go to doyogawithme.com

Ive done the multilevel morning flow, connections to core, backbending from base, and foundations in flow. The multilevel class is really good especially if youre a beginner and youll notice a difference in your flexibility if you keep at it.

Hey there, I'm bendy too

Brad805

I too suggest you go to a class. So long as you behave the girls will be helpful. It is awkward for a while, but you get used to it. I can't imagine doing this at home. The coach does help and checks to see you are doing things the best you can. The practice is more about you improving and not comparing to the person next to you. I will say the little yogi bunnies do push you.

taso42

This is neither yoga nor pilates nor a video. But I recommend the Agile 8 as a warmup.

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/weight-training-weight-lifting/warm-up-your-hips-agile-8-a-631289.html

etoiles_argentees

^this... or just pay for a few sessions with a therapeutic yoga teacher and continue at home. If they are IAYT certified, they've got over 1000 hours teaching therapeutic yoga and can work with any imbalances you might have. Good luck!

ohenry78

Thank you all for the advice! It seems that a class is the way to go at first, at least until I have a shred of an idea of what the heck I am doing I will have to check around and see if there are any classes that will work with my schedule.

Thanks again!!