Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Can you do the splits?

(96 Posts)
Riverwalk Mon 25-Jul-22 09:24:50

The Guardian has an interesting series 'A new start after 60' - this former hairdresser became a yoga teacher at 65.

Pretty impressive!

Yoga

Cornishgreenhouse Wed 27-Jul-22 13:57:49

Yes I can - forwards with my right leg in front and left one behind, but not the sideways box splits.

foxie48 Wed 27-Jul-22 13:53:36

I've been to pilates for years and before that I did a huge range of different exercise classes. There are things I can do easily but struggle with other things that some people find easy. My pilates teacher is excellent about explaining why and offering a different movement. We all have very different bodies, I'm strong but not particularly flexible, I have a tilted pelvis with a slight rotation to the left but my most limiting factor is I have long limbs and a relatively compact body with a particularly short lower back, I have no space between my last rib and my hip. This really limits my ability to perform some exercises fortunately pilates is not a competitive sport. No I can't do the splits.

Danma Wed 27-Jul-22 13:49:47

Yes but not intentionally ?

SachaMac Wed 27-Jul-22 13:48:28

Ive never been able to do the splits properly, I did used to try but certainly would try to do them now, it would end in disaster!! One of my Grandmas could do the splits till she was well in her 70’s.

Nannylovesshopping Wed 27-Jul-22 13:48:14

Yes I can, but only frontwards, not sideways, my granddaughters think it’s hilarious, as they can’t!

Philippa111 Wed 27-Jul-22 13:45:53

I slipped on a wet floor a couple of years ago and did the splits as I fell. I was terrified it would affect my hip replacement but it didn't. Just a slight muscle pull. Wouldn't want to put it to the test again however. I find it difficult to get up off the floor without holding on to a piece of furniture!

Bijou Wed 27-Jul-22 13:30:10

Could in my youth. Could dance the can can..

MissAdventure Wed 27-Jul-22 13:19:30

The last person I know who found she could do the splits, wasn't even trying.
She trod on a wet cabbage leaf in Tesco, and she needed a hip replacement a year or so after that surprise.

PamQS Wed 27-Jul-22 13:13:42

My mum could do the splits when she was a child, and right into her late 60s. I never could. I’ve never really wanted to, either! The whole idea of having to improve myself now I’m over 60 fills me with gloom. For heaven’s sake, whatever happened to growing old gracefully?

yogitree Wed 27-Jul-22 13:01:05

RichmondPark1

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/a-new-start-after-60

Thanks for sharing. Inspirational indeed!

Happysexagenarian Wed 27-Jul-22 12:45:56

I've never been able to do the splits even when I was young and I'm certainly not going to try now. But I have a friend who can still do it - she's 85!! She's been doing Yoga all her life so that's probably why she's so supple.

Junesun Wed 27-Jul-22 12:43:53

?? oh me too

SusiC Wed 27-Jul-22 12:39:00

O, but I do Pilates and Zumba weekly to keep me flexible and fit.

Musicgirl Wed 27-Jul-22 12:35:22

Camelotclub

No but I can still touch my toes! (But then I have very long arms.)

Same here.

Musicgirl Wed 27-Jul-22 12:34:15

I managed the forwards/backwards splits for a few weeks when I was twelve. I have never since been able to repeat this feat. Does it bother me? Not in the slightest.

Coconut Wed 27-Jul-22 12:24:41

Not any more, but I can still stand on my head aged 70, much to my grandchildren's amusement ?

Quizzer Wed 27-Jul-22 12:19:37

Never been able to do this, but my mother, who was once a professional dancer, could still do the splits in her 70s!

JaneJudge Wed 27-Jul-22 12:15:24

I would rather go to Sainsburys

Tamayra Wed 27-Jul-22 12:11:26

My Grandma was a Tiller Girl & could do the splits at 90yrs old High kicks too
But not me Couldn’t even try smile

Camelotclub Wed 27-Jul-22 12:00:44

No but I can still touch my toes! (But then I have very long arms.)

JadeOlivia Wed 27-Jul-22 11:58:59

No, last time I was about 7.Doesn' t even look natural to me for a human being !

LuckyFour Wed 27-Jul-22 11:55:04

Can't do the splits - never could!

Honeysuckleberries Wed 27-Jul-22 11:51:32

Absolutely, with banana, chocolate sauce and pecans ?

Well someone had to say it!

Annaram1 Wed 27-Jul-22 11:50:28

I used to do the splits as a girl. Now I'm 81 and disabled I don't want to try to do this. What's the point?

HeavenLeigh Wed 27-Jul-22 11:50:05

No I can’t and don’t have any wish to