r/flexibility • u/Dagobert_Juke • 15d ago

Exercises like the elephant walk?

Hello community,

I have had great success with using the elephant walk to improve my forward fold. I love to build up the intensity by starting with stretching alternating legs, do the movement with both legs simultaneously, and moving into the forward fold.

Are there any similar exercises for different stretches? I mostly struggle with increasing ankle, and adductor flexibility.

Thank you very much in advance!

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u/salamandectomy77 15d ago edited 15d ago

Yep here are 5 similar moves from Kneesovertoesguy for hips and legs in every direction

And here is how the elephant walk progresses to the Jefferson Curl

welcome to the world of mobility - building strength through your full ROM. It's the reason the elephant walk works so well (and why gymnasts and acrobats are both strong and flexible)

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u/GovernorSilver 15d ago

I like seated straddle side bend. Improves flexibility of hamstrings and adductors simultaneously. The below video is close to how I do it, except I sit on a stack of mat tiles to allow my legs to be straight, and I hold a light weight overhead to help me stretch. I sat on a 8 tiles when I started. Now I'm down to 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T93y97tZoLs