The status quo in the fitness world is that strong people like to lift weights, and flexible people like to stretch. This can lead to serious problems, however, because flexibility without strength is just as limited and prone to injury as strength without flexibility. Many powerlifters, for example, train all year just to add 10 pounds to their bench press yet they struggle to simply hold their arms overhead without arching their back. On the flip side, yogis often commit all their energy towards gaining more flexibility, but many lack the basic strength to do even a single chin-up.

Balance Your Body

Fortunately, GymnasticBodies and the world of Gymnastics Strength Training^TM is here to combat this trend. Do you have the strength to do a pull-up? Awesome. Now let's see your thoracic bridge flexibility. Do you have the front splits? Great, now show us your single leg squat. Strength and flexibility are two sides of the same coin, and having one without the other is simply incomplete and unbalanced. Rise above the fitness status quo, and demand more of yourself by training both your strength and flexibility today.

The Middle Split Series from the GB Stretch Courses, for example, takes all this into account. Each element was selected to target different deficiencies in strength or flexibility of the hamstrings, adductors, gracilis, piriformis, obliques, and more. When coupled with the GB Foundation Courses (particularly the integrated mobility drills), the end result is a physical body that can move through space without any limitations or weaknesses.

Exercises like this from the GB Courses will gradually increase your strength through greater range of motion. 

Stretch with Intention

When many people think of stretching, they do not think of it as work, but rather as just a warm-up or cool-down. This is not so with the GB Stretch Courses. If you have never tried stretching in this manner before, do not think of it as a passive, relaxing yoga session, but rather be prepared to work hard, sweat, and let out a few expletives (not to mention walking a bit funny due to some muscle soreness the next day).

More importantly, consider that your hip range of motion will greatly increase from engaging in this type of focused stretching. If you have trouble sitting on the floor with your legs out in a straddle without cramping in your hips, then your quality of life will improve from stretching your hamstrings and adductors. And of course, if more advanced GST^TM exercises are on your list of goals, then you need a chest-to-floor straddle pancake position.

Use the GymnasticBodies Online Courses to beat the status quo, improve your strength AND flexibility, and enjoy an improved quality of life as a result!