I can do it with a bendy back but not if I keep it straight. Not sure if it’s mountain biking or hip destroying that’s done that tbh, not too fussed though.
Not been able to since I was 15 or so. Certainly can’t now, major repeating lower back injury (currently causing me numb legs and cramps but the GP doesn’t seem to think it’s a worry!) has made it worse. Can’t ride now as the extended position of furthest pedal stroke pulls through my bum and up my back which triggers spasms.
Some bits of you are meant to be stable. Some bits are meant to move
The problems come when the bits that are meant to move don’t (due to lack of stretching or movement)
If that happens then the bits that are meant to be stable have to move…and then it hurts. So it doesn’t really matter that I can’t touch my toes yet but at least I can get to hold my ankles and stretch my hamstrings
I can go beyond palms flat on the floor even without a warm up. I put it down to all the gymnastics I did when I was young. I’ve been advised to keep flexible to keep my poor old back working.
I’m usually able to get fists on the floor if try. Pretty important for road racers, you need to maximise the power you can produce and minimise the power you must produce. Flexibility will mean you can achieve a more ‘aero’ position on the bike (minimising the power you must produce) that doesn’t inhibit power production (maximising the power you can produce), although glute flexibility matters more than hamstring flexibility when it comes to position on the bike. Luckily mine’s really good and I can get away with 13cm of drop on my road bike.
See i was told something different. Touching your toes is related to flexibility (but not fitness) but other leg movements are related to pelvis and hips, e.g. putting feet behind head