How To Do A Split

When was the last time you did the splits? If your answer is “never,” don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone.

Asking your body to perform this impressive looking, but often painful task may seem like a good idea at first.

But in reality, what looks like a fairly straightforward exercise — especially when you watch an 8-year-old do it — can actually end up being one of the most challenging and physically demanding moves you ever do.

Before you attempt this feat of flexibility, check out these expert training tips and step-by-step instructions on how to do the splits.

Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a stretching newbie, flexibility is important to your overall health. "Many exercise physiologists agree that having optimal joint range of motion can lower your risk of injury and increases your quality of life," says Rachelle Reed, PhD, barre kinesiologist. Here for that!

But the splits take flexibility to a whole new level. "Achieving the splits stretch means that someone has impressive flexibility in their hips, glutes, and hamstrings, and working towards the splits is a pinnacle flexibility goal for many fitness fanatics," says Katelyn DiGiorgio, vice president of training and technique at Pure Barre. (Sounds like a tall order.)