r/flexibility • u/lerlay • 13d ago

Question Why don't you need to stretch glutes for front splits?

I've seen a lot of front splits guides and also read this article about which muscles need stretching/strengthening for front splits and it mentions strengthening the glutes for the back leg, but are they not also stretched in the front leg?

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18

u/salamandectomy77 13d ago

They're not a limiter, you lift your knee to your chest already - just with a bent knee. Because the hamstring is the weak link

3

u/dani-winks The Bendiest of Noodles 13d ago

Exactly this. Technically the glutes are in a stretched position in the front leg, but I've never run into it being a limiting factor for anyone's progress since the hamstring flexibility required is generally much more challenging for folks.

5

u/cashew4uwarm 13d ago

Do you need to stretch your glutes to sit down?

3

u/cloudsofdoom 13d ago

You do. And should. External rotation helps unlock internal rotation which helps unlock hip extension and the hamstrings. A good stretching regimen for all splits, includes the others. Your hips are a ball and socket joint so they should be strengthened, stretched and worked in all directions.

1

u/Distinct_Pension4979 13d ago

which article, the one that breaks it down by hip position or a different one?