I started working out

[QueBert]

Now I never in my life remember being able to touch my toes, but I hadn't thought about it in ages, like since High School probably. I bent over today and could reach my knees. Determined to do better I stretch a little bit. As if that's going to make an improvement, and it did to the tune of about an inch.

I've never been flexible, but touching my toes should be something I can achieve my question is, what exercises should I do to help with this? I'm 32 and trying to get into shape. Thought this could be one of my goals.

 

[Skacer]

Run... and then stretch. Do not bounce when stretching and take your time.

 

[DefDC]

If you're just starting out, don't forget to stretch BEFORE you run also! Save yourself some pain!

I had the opposite experience that most people had at college. I lost a ton of weight, started running, swimming, and doing martial arts. I was, by far, in the best shape of my life. I was always a large, but not immensely obese person, and went from a high school weight of ~270lbs (6'2") to 207lbs, and couldn't lose another pound beyond that, no matter much little I ate, or how much I exercised. Extremely skinny for my frame! With all my athletics, I was able to put both feet behind my head, and accidently kicked a fire alarm off a dorm hallway wall, which was about 7 feet high while doing a stretching kick!

Grab some martial arts beginners books/videos and do the stretching exercises. They work wonders! Or better yet, go find a reputable Karate, TaeKwonDo, etc class and join! It's fun and an AMAZING workout. You'll have such a wealth of info for staying in shape from the teachers and other classmates.

Or just using some beginners Yoga stuff would do the same, if you're antisocial.

 

[Reel]

Not an attack but you said "started working out". Please provide more details. If you are doing weights and have never done it before and/or never been taught technique, you may wish to reserve a trainer for a few hour blocks to guide your technique. It would probably deter you from your goal if you developed injuries from lifting weights. Stretching is something you can build into your daily routine. Get out of bed and stretch in the morning. While sitting in your desk chair at work, get up during the day and stretch a bit. If one of your motivations is weight loss (belly blocking the toe touch), consider your diet first. As for which stretches, consider various approaches of touching your toes but don't neglect the other areas of your body. If you're going to do some, may as well do it all. Good luck. I am about to work on my parents (much older than you) to try to get them regularly attending a gym again.

 

[GasX]

I am quite athletic but have never been flexible at all. When I took martial arts classes, my flexibility greatly improved due to the extensive stretching done in class. When you have a partner gently "helping" you stretch to lengths you can't get to on your own, your flexibility improves greatly.

 

[Special K]

The book Stretching Scientifically has some good info and stretching routines in it.

 

[Kelemvor]

Definitely learn proper stretching and that will help you touch your toes. I also could, and still can, from taking a few years of Tae Kwon DO classes. I could stand on the edge of a curb and touch the street at my most flexible (not quite that any more but can still touch my toes).

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Special K
The book Stretching Scientifically has some good info and stretching routines in it.

Decent book, but the thing I have a problem with is the fact that the whole book is basically geared towards one goal - doing splits. If that's your goal, I'd highly recommend it. Otherwise, I'd look at Stretching Anatomy.

 

[DrPizza]

Like kelemvor, I also took Tae Kwon Do for a few years. We spent a LOT of time working on flexibility. Ironically, nearly 20 years later, I can still do a split. But, I've never been able to touch my toes.