AboutBrad Walker (The Stretch Coach) Expertise I'm more than happy to answer any questions relating to stretching and flexibility. Including how to use stretching to improve your athletic performance, prevent sports injury and aid in the recovery of sports injury.
Experience I'm an internationally recognized stretching and sports injury consultant with 20 years of practical experience in the health and fitness industry. And the founder of (The Stretching Institute).
Organizations Sports Medicine Australia
Publications I've written 5 books on stretching, flexibility and sports injury, including... The Stretching Handbook (ISBN: 978-0958109338), The Anatomy of Stretching (ISBN: 978-1556435966) and The Anatomy of Sports Injuries (ISBN: 978-1556436666). Plus, I've had numerous articles published at About.com, Athletes.com and BodyBuilding.com.
Education/Credentials I'm a health science graduate of the University of New England, with post graduate accreditations in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. I've worked with elite level and world champion athletes and I lecture for Sports Medicine Australia on injury prevention.
Past/Present Clients I've worked as assistant coach to Miles Stewart (World Champion Triathlete) and Mick Doohan (World 500cc Motorcycle Champion). Plus I've worked with countless other athletes from sports as diverse as roller-skating, squash, and cycling.
Ive always been a person with poor flexbility in my lower limbs, particularly tight hamstrings etc. I think this has come from playing soccer endlessly in my school years. Im 27 and have taken up mixed martial arts (brazilian jiujitsu and muay thai) over the last 18months and have fallen in love with this sport. I am finding however that my poor flexbility in my lower limbs and hip mobilisation is holding me back. I would love to hear some advice on how to boost my leg flexibility so I could be able to preform head kicks(muay thai) and a more dynamic guard in BJJ.
thanks for you time
Liam
Answer Hi Liam
Thanks for your inquiry. It's a pleasure to help and I hope the following is beneficial.
A couple of suggestions...
1. The best time to stretch for you will be after your work-outs. Make sure you leave at least 15 to 20 minutes at the end of your work-outs to cool-down and stretch. Concentrate on slow, static stretching with a hold of at least 30 seconds.
3. Use heat and massage before stretching to help your muscles relax and get a better stretch.
I hope the above has been helpful. For more information on how to stretch properly and the best stretching exercises for you, visit www.TheStretchingInstitute.com
Brad Walker
Founder & CEO
The Stretching Institute
