I can’t do the splits—is that a problem when exercising?

Question

I do workouts at the gym and at home, but I can’t do the splits and I’m not very flexible. People who are good at exercising all seem flexible, so I’m worried that not being flexible might reduce the benefits of exercise or make me more likely to get injured. If I’m not very flexible, do I need to stretch to improve it before exercising, or does it not matter much for the strength training I do? I’m curious about the relationship between flexibility and exercise.

Park Gyeong-ae · Answer

Being able to do the splits does not necessarily mean you are flexible
.
Of course, flexibility differs from person to person.
But
if you stretch consistently on your own
and do an appropriate amount of exercise that suits your body,
your body will adapt, your joints will move appropriately, and
your body’s flexibility will also gradually improve.
It is like doing the splits: you may not be able to do them at first if you have never tried, but you gradually improve.
Also, although flexibility differs from person to person,
when doing the splits, your hip joints or gluteal muscles
may not be moving freely.
Your lumbar spine or sacrum may also be stiff and restricting movement.
It may be helpful to check which part of your lower back, hip, or gluteal muscles
is pulling.
Having somewhat limited flexibility
should not be a problem for exercising.
Appropriate exercise for your body can actually
move the joints and help make them supple, acting as a lubricant

so I recommend doing an appropriate amount of exercise.

I can’t do the splits—is that a problem when exercising?

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