The illusive side splits. Wanted by all, had by few. There was a time… many, many years ago, that I could perform the side splits, along with the front splits. But alas, with age and many years without martial arts, I “lost” the ability. I am now on a quest to regain that split.

Science and knowledge have come a long way since I was a kid, when you forced your way into a stretch. Luckily now, with the incredible amount of free knowledge on the internet, you can find help. Below are what I feel are the best instruction for the side split. Utilizing PIR (Post-Isometric- Relaxation), Isometric and Loaded stretching.

These routines demonstrated by Tom Merrick are based on the work of the incredible Emmet Louis.

1. Middle Split Loaded Mobility Routine

Exercise 1: Weighted Tailor Pose

Exercise 2: Weighted Horse Stance Squat

Exercise 3: Isometric Side Split

Exercise 4: Weighted Pancake (Seated Good-morning)

Minimum of 2 x / week

PART 1 – LOADED MOBILITY ROUTINE – 1:32

Group A:

A1. Weighted Tailor Pose – 10r + 30-60s https://youtu.be/Ha3BgV5K1eQ
A2. Weighted Horse Stance Squat – 10r + 10-30s https://youtu.be/0JApz7PKMbw
Repeat 3-5 sets.
Rest 60s between sets.

Group B:

B1: Weighted Pancake – 10r + 10-30s (Optional) https://youtu.be/hoQbrx955-8?t=16m32s
Repeat 1-3+ sets.
Rest 60s between sets.

Group C:

C1. Side Split Isometric – 20-60s https://redd.it/2pogcn
Repeat 3-5 sets.
Rest 60s between sets.

PART 2 – FREQUENCY AND PERIODISATION – 7:27

Perform the routine 2x a week. To adjust, more volume less often or less volume more often.
Increase by 1 set per exercise weekly and deload to 3 sets on week 4.
Repeat.

PART 3 – BEGINNER TIPS – 8:19

PART 4 – DAILY ROUTINE – 9:03

2. 3 Months Middle Split Progress + Tips

Tip #1 (2:22): Foot Positioning
Tip #2 (3:15): Anterior Tilt The Hips(Twerk)

3. 7 Months Middle Split Progress with tips

4. PIR (Post-Isometric- Relaxation) * Note… video states PNF but is actually PIR.

EXERCISE 1 – Frog Pose – 1:30 (10secs hold – 5 secs relax – 3 reps) Pinch + Lift
EXERCISE 2 – “Pissing Dog” – 4:11 (10secs hold – 5 secs relax – 3 reps)
EXERCISE 3 – Middle Split PNF – 6:51 (10secs hold – 5 secs relax – 3 reps) Pinch + Lift

The number one tip from Emmet Louis:

So after the last year of workshop tours I can say conclusively that the main reason 90% of people can’t do side splits or have limited success with them is that they can’t twerk.

If people (mainly guys ) mastered the twerk stance they’d have a lot more success with side splits.

This is the twerk stance, butt out lower back arched

http://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/…/Should-a-footballe…

mastering this and maintaining this position as the legs extend is the key to unlocking the side split along with a few other factors.