Hi,
I'm going to change directions slightly due to my recurring hip flexor strain. All the split positions require stretching of the Hip Flexor to some degree and I think I just need to rest it for a few more weeks. Rather than give up on my flexibility training altogether for that time, I've decided to use this time to work on my Hamstring flexibility.
I plan to use and review the Elastic Steel Hamstring Flexibility System during this time. You can find information about the system Here
As the program goes for 16 weeks, I expect my Hip Flexor to be fully recovered by then, plus having more flexible hamstrings can only help my splits.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Getting frustrated
Even though I am not pushing my stretching at all my right hip flexor feels like it has a minor pull again. Its not as bad as last time and the pain hasn't extended to my back either which is good but it is getting me very frustrated. My plan is/was to concentrate on my general conditioning for 4 weeks with just light stretches before trying any deep stretching. I plan to now just stick with light conditioning and VERY light stretches until this issue passes.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Elastic Steel online course review
Hi,
Now that the online course has finished I am in a better position to give a comprehensive review and then also compare it to the Elastic Steel stretching DvD and Book.
Online Course Review.
The 12 week course provides a lot of information...a lot. What it provided and what I thought it would provide were a little different however. It is NOT a 12 week program solely designed to develop your splits, what it is, is comprehensive training and education on the different methods of developing flexibility, while you do "follow along" and copy most of the the individual lessons, its not just a do this each week and you will be able to do the splits at the end type program ( I gather that the Elastic Steel Hamstrings Program is more inline with that style of program). Each lesson does not necessarily follow the previous weeks (although some do).
I definitely learned a LOT about stretching, even over and above both the book and the DVD, of course a lot of it is repeated info but that is to be expected, all of the products have to assume you dont know anything about his method offered in the other versions of flexibility training materials.
Pros.
Lots of info..lots!
Demonstrates everything
Discusses in great detail breathing methods, visualisation, even directions of force instead of just "stretch the muscle" which I hadnt really come across before.
Differentiates between demonstrations of flexibility and other stretches for the same muscles that actaully improve the length of the muscle. (again, I have never heard this explained before)
So many differnt methods of improving flexibility you can determine which work better for you.
Doesnt just use PNF stretches like some of the other stretching methodologies
Cons.
The exact nature of the program wasnt explained in the promo materials, I dont feel ripped off, I learned a lot but if I can join the program thinking its one thing, when it is different, then it can happen to others.
12 weeks long - kind of weird to say is a con but there were definitely some lessons that covered stuff I already knew and due to the nature of the program, you cant just skip ahead.
He didnt always expalin at the beginning how many times a week you should do each lesson, when it was mentined, it was usually 3 times so you just assume that it the same for all.
Compared to his DVD the production value was low. Might be an issue for some people.
Doesnt really go into detail about how to construct a flexibiltiy program at the end.
No warning that after watching the final video once, thats it, you cant access it anymore...hope you were taking notes.
All in all, its a very comprehensive source of information but it isnt perfect. 1 final session might have been good where he explains how to contruct a program, the questions you are left with are, do you try and use multiple methods in one session? Or do you periodize say PNF for a few weeks, then switch to RI, then to another? Finishing this way would have been a lot more satisfying than simply coming to the end of this weeks routine and ...end.
Is it worth it? Thats the big question isnt it?
I would say yes, but not necessarily for everyone.
If you dont have any of the Elastic Steel materials AND you dont mind the info being spread out over 12 weeks, then its a great resource, just make sure you either take notes or use a program to download each lesson as the new reduced cost doesnt include copies on DVD at the end of the program now.
If you already have the book and DVD AND you are making good progress, there probably isnt a need for it, you will definitely learn something but if what you are doing is already working, save your money.
Taken as a stand alone, it pretty much includes everything in the book and the DVD and more, is that more needed by everyone? Probably not, plus I found the format frustrating at times.
Final thoughts on options.
Most people will be served well by either the Book and DVD or the online course, very few would need all 3. I love to know the absolute ins and outs of everything so am happy I have access to all 3.
Next week, going forward
Now that the online course has finished I am in a better position to give a comprehensive review and then also compare it to the Elastic Steel stretching DvD and Book.
Online Course Review.
The 12 week course provides a lot of information...a lot. What it provided and what I thought it would provide were a little different however. It is NOT a 12 week program solely designed to develop your splits, what it is, is comprehensive training and education on the different methods of developing flexibility, while you do "follow along" and copy most of the the individual lessons, its not just a do this each week and you will be able to do the splits at the end type program ( I gather that the Elastic Steel Hamstrings Program is more inline with that style of program). Each lesson does not necessarily follow the previous weeks (although some do).
I definitely learned a LOT about stretching, even over and above both the book and the DVD, of course a lot of it is repeated info but that is to be expected, all of the products have to assume you dont know anything about his method offered in the other versions of flexibility training materials.
Pros.
Lots of info..lots!
Demonstrates everything
Discusses in great detail breathing methods, visualisation, even directions of force instead of just "stretch the muscle" which I hadnt really come across before.
Differentiates between demonstrations of flexibility and other stretches for the same muscles that actaully improve the length of the muscle. (again, I have never heard this explained before)
So many differnt methods of improving flexibility you can determine which work better for you.
Doesnt just use PNF stretches like some of the other stretching methodologies
Cons.
The exact nature of the program wasnt explained in the promo materials, I dont feel ripped off, I learned a lot but if I can join the program thinking its one thing, when it is different, then it can happen to others.
12 weeks long - kind of weird to say is a con but there were definitely some lessons that covered stuff I already knew and due to the nature of the program, you cant just skip ahead.
He didnt always expalin at the beginning how many times a week you should do each lesson, when it was mentined, it was usually 3 times so you just assume that it the same for all.
Compared to his DVD the production value was low. Might be an issue for some people.
Doesnt really go into detail about how to construct a flexibiltiy program at the end.
No warning that after watching the final video once, thats it, you cant access it anymore...hope you were taking notes.
All in all, its a very comprehensive source of information but it isnt perfect. 1 final session might have been good where he explains how to contruct a program, the questions you are left with are, do you try and use multiple methods in one session? Or do you periodize say PNF for a few weeks, then switch to RI, then to another? Finishing this way would have been a lot more satisfying than simply coming to the end of this weeks routine and ...end.
Is it worth it? Thats the big question isnt it?
I would say yes, but not necessarily for everyone.
If you dont have any of the Elastic Steel materials AND you dont mind the info being spread out over 12 weeks, then its a great resource, just make sure you either take notes or use a program to download each lesson as the new reduced cost doesnt include copies on DVD at the end of the program now.
If you already have the book and DVD AND you are making good progress, there probably isnt a need for it, you will definitely learn something but if what you are doing is already working, save your money.
Taken as a stand alone, it pretty much includes everything in the book and the DVD and more, is that more needed by everyone? Probably not, plus I found the format frustrating at times.
Final thoughts on options.
Most people will be served well by either the Book and DVD or the online course, very few would need all 3. I love to know the absolute ins and outs of everything so am happy I have access to all 3.
Next week, going forward
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