# Need help doing the splits **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 12, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041 "2009-12-12T23:28:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/1 "2009-12-12T23:28:19Z")
Right now it looks like the max I can split my legs is 90 degrees, any more than that and it starts becoming painful. What exercises can I do to increase my split angle? I mainly want it so I can throw higher kicks in kickboxing. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/2 "2009-12-12T23:43:31Z")
If you google “splits training,” you’ll find a lot of resources, [like](http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1814998/front_splits_training_for_dancers.html?cat=50) this. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/3 "2009-12-13T05:52:28Z")
If you want to kick higher, dynamic flexibility is what you need. Doing static splits will of course help, but being able to do a full split is not the really needed to kick high. IMO ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/4 "2009-12-13T07:02:54Z")
You might be interested in the [Pro Leg Stretcher](http://www.amazon.com/TMAS-Pro-Leg-Stretcher/dp/B0000CA2P5) from the offices of the Marquis de Sade. A friend of mine in Taekwondo uses a similar device and swears that it has helped his flexibility immensely. I can find out exactly which model he has if you like. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/5 "2009-12-13T07:08:33Z")
First, are you male or female? Because if you’re male it’s going to be more difficult. ---
**Author:** ![dragoncat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@dragoncat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragoncat)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/6 "2009-12-13T08:37:40Z")
It may take you a long time to reach the point where you can do the splits. A friend of mine said it took her six years. That being said, the best way is to stretch as far as you can, and hold it for at least 20 seconds, a couple of times a day, every day. I would try that before you spend money on a sadism machine. \*\*Caveat: I know nothing about kickboxing. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/7 "2009-12-13T15:12:47Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > You might be interested in the [Pro Leg Stretcher](http://www.amazon.com/TMAS-Pro-Leg-Stretcher/dp/B0000CA2P5) from the offices of the Marquis de Sade. > > A friend of mine in Taekwondo uses a similar device and swears that it has helped his flexibility immensely. I can find out exactly which model he has if you like. This looks more like a medieval torture machine :eek: > [@Nava](#): > > First, are you male or female? Because if you’re male it’s going to be more difficult. I’m male. ---
**Author:** ![HongKongFooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c4cdca/32.png) [@HongKongFooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HongKongFooey)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-doing-the-splits/521041/8 "2009-12-13T15:24:24Z")
I can’t do them anymore but a few years ago I set out to do the splits. I accomplished it by watching television. I would just sit on the floor in the full stretch position and every few minutes increase the stretch a bit. I don’t practice martial arts anymore and quite frankly didn’t have much need for kicking above my waist even when I did so I stopped stretching like that but it did work.