Tom Kurz Stretching fans?

[BilliardPete]

Hi there,

I am getting back into MA, and was wondering what people think about it and their results.

I was able to do full splits (all 3) on the floor, but couldn't do hanging splits.

Pete

[Van Zandt]

Kurz offers the fastest method possible for achieving full splits. Results vary, but minimum is usually a month, maximum is six months.

Most people who keep up with the programme at full intensity can achieve a suspended (hanging) split within 1-2 months of achieving full splits on the ground. If you ease off on your training after achieving full splits on the ground it will take you longer to achieve it suspended.

[kombatmaster777]

Hey superfoot, do you reccomend buying Tom Kurz's book and DVD?

Do you also reccomend that one should follow the exercises and routine(s) that he provides in the book and or DVD?

[Van Zandt]

Kombatmaster777,

Buy the book if you prefer to read and don't have a DVD player ;)

Buy the DVD if you prefer a "do-along" guide.

I, personally, prefer the book because it's more in depth than the DVD, answers a lot more questions and makes me feel smart when I read it ;)

I absolutely 100% recommend following the exercises and routines he highlights. Follow it to the letter and you can drop into the splits without warming up in less than 6 months (even sooner, depending on your starting levels of strength and flexibility).

[kombatmaster777]

Ok, so the information is the same in the book as it is in the DVD except that the book is more detailed?

I always thought of the DVD having him demonstrate a wide array of exercises and the book talks about his info exculding the exercises.

What does the DVD consist of?

[Van Zandt]

The DVD is the live-action version of the book, but with only a quarter of the science bit. It is great if you prefer to see a demo of the movements. The book is great if you're a nerd (like me), but it only shows the final stage of any movement.

[kombatmaster777]

Ok, well all I'm interested in is performing his strength exercise routine for the legs until I can hit a hanging splits.
I don't really care about the science lol.

That being said, will the DVD give me a solid strength routine to follow with enough information on things like what exercises to use, how many sets/reps, where to start, etc?

[Van Zandt]

It tells/shows exercises, when/how to do them, but not how many sets/reps you should start with. No DVD truly can. You will figure out your ideal workload through trial and error.

[kombatmaster777]

Thanks Superfoot!

I think the DVD is for me then

pce

-kombat

[BilliardPete]

Well after all that I have read from our own Superfoot here, I am going to order Tom Kurz'es book (I already have the VHS, yes old school stuff:woo:).

And I might order that seminar he has taped as well.

It's funny, I use to think I new a lot about stretching, I come from the Wallace school of stretching (I mean hell after years I finally got into the full splits front side foot flat and instep down), but after reading more about the it, I realize I have lots to learn.

Thanks Superfoot

Pete

[BilliardPete]

Well, I did order the book and the seminar plus the kicking dvd and a couple of those papers Tom wrote.

Wish me luck...

Pete

[Mr Punch]

Er, call me stupid if you like, but which book are we talking about? He's done a few right? For general exercise advice and general stretching I was thinking of getting 'Scientific Stretching': is that the one?

And what are the relative merits of his various books? (I know I could check out Amazon, but I know the quality of some people's opinions on here)

[Van Zandt]

Books written by Tom Kurz:

1. Stretching Scientifically (for achieving splits and high kicks with no warm-up)
2. Science of Sports Training (for planning training)

And, um, that's it... The first book teaches you how to safely develop maximum flexibility in the shortest time, and the second book teaches you how to correctly structure your training for optimum athletic performance.

[Mr Punch]

OK, thanks. Thought there were more, but when I went back to Amazon I noticed there were loads of 'related' books on the Thomas Kurz page... haven't used Amazon in English before.

[BilliardPete]

Well I am very happy. More order came in today, can't wait to go home and take a look at what I got (Stretching Scientificaly book, Kicks with no warm up DVD, and The clinic Tom Kurz did on Kicking and stretching for high kicks).

Superfoot, Is his book on training methods worth a look at as well?

Pete

[Van Zandt]

BilliardPete,

Are you referring to Science of Sports Training?

[BilliardPete]

BilliardPete,

Are you referring to Science of Sports Training?


Yes sir, that would be the one...

Pete

[Van Zandt]

Get Science of Sports Training if you are a high-performance athlete and wish to know how to properly structure your workouts to a very fine detail. If all you want to do is be able to drop into the splits and kick above your head without warming up or stretching beforehand, then don't buy the book.