ABSOLUTE ASCENDANCY

Commencing operation . . .

Overview

The quad stretch. Many athletes have overdeveloped quadriceps and underdeveloped glutes. It is therefore essential to perform specific strengthening exercises to develop the glutes and as well as stretch the oft overused quads. One of my favourite quad stretches is the kneeling quad stretch. The advanced version especially gives the quads a proper stretch, but be careful not to overdo it! As a martial artist, this stretch helps promote the leg flexibility required for high kicks but also, more prominently, it aids in transitioning into the various deep-rooted stances that are commonplace in most styles of Karate.

Method

Kneel on one knee and place the other foot flat on the floor. Slide your back leg further away from you but ensure that the front knee does not bypass the front ankle. You should feel a stretch in the hip and quad that is connected to the leg sliding away. Once comfortable, the advanced version requires you to grab the back foot and raise it off the ground as far up towards you as you can manage. This elongates the stretch towards the knee, so do not attempt this if you have any knee injury. Bonus points if you can get your back heel to touch your bottom, but I don’t think that is physically possible. I certainly can’t get anywhere close!

Conclusion

It is, in general, a good practice to regularly stretch your quads as they are overdeveloped in most people, and many cases, quite tight.

Mission complete – Overlord Drakow signing out.