When BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan revealed she hopes to still be able to do the splits at the ripe old age of 60, there were no doubt many who thought her ambition rather pie in the sky.
After all, there are few of us who can perform this feat of flexibility as children – let alone in our seventh decade. But if these flexible women are to be believed, there’s hope for us all yet.
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Jane Sleven, 68, a counsellor and masseuse, from Hove, East Sussex, is a divorcee who has a son and a three-year-old granddaughter. She says:
Jane Sleven, 68, a counsellor and masseuse from Hove, can still do the splits – but she didn’t master the art until she was in her mid-50s
When I was still married I remember one woman saying to me: ‘I bet your husband likes the fact you’re so flexible.’ It made me laugh but I wasn’t at all offended. People are often so surprised that I can still do the splits at the ripe old age of 68 that they make cheeky remarks about my agility.
The funny thing is, I didn’t even master the knack until I was in my mid-50s. I was on a fitness drive and discovered that I was actually far more agile than I thought.
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It took a lot of practice to be able to get both legs on the floor but I surprised myself to discover I had the strength to do it and it gave me so much confidence.
I probably could have learnt how to do the splits years ago, if only I’d tried. I’ll admit I’m no longer as strong and nimble as I was a few years ago, but I’m proud to say I can still do the splits with some ease. It’s my party piece.
Grandmother Carol Smith, 71, a retired singer from Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, can still do the splits even though she never did gymnastics or ballet as a child
Unlike a lot of people my age I’m lucky that I don’t suffer from arthritis, or any aches and pains.
But last year I did have a bit of a hip problem and it was hard to come to terms with because I’ve always been so fit and flexible.
At one point it was so painful I needed the aid of a stick to walk and feared that my days of doing the splits were well and truly behind me. But I went to see a good physiotherapist, who told me the pain was due to inflamed soft tissue in my right hip.
Lo and behold, eight months later, with the help of his manipulation, I’m as good as new.
It was, however, only two months ago, once all the tenderness had gone, that I finally attempted the splits again.
Jody Lawrance, 55, from East Grinstead, West Sussex, learnt to do the splits after she trained herself to become a yoga teacher
I sat on the floor in a friend’s living room and, stretched one leg back and the other carefully forward and, to my amazement, there I was in the splits. Incredibly, it wasn’t uncomfortable at all and I was thrilled to find I could still do them
However, I’m more thoughtful and not quite so gung-ho going up and down into them as I was two or three years ago.
Having a sore hip gave me some insight into how it might be to be 80 or 90 and feel decrepit.
I’m determined to stay fit and active, and maintain my size 12 figure, and hopefully that should mean I’ll be able to keep doing the splits indefinitely.
The human body is a powerful thing – look after it, and it will look after you.
Carol says it wasn’t until she was in her early 40s that she set herself the challenge of becoming more flexible. It took her five months of daily practice before she was finally able to do the splits
Retired singer Carol Smith, 71, lives in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, with husband Richard, 59, a retired classical musician. She has a daughter and 18-month-old grandson. She says:
Sometimes, I just can’t resist proving the point when I see eyes rolling at the very idea that a woman of my age (let alone size – I’m a curvy size 14) might be able to do the splits.
Recently, I was at the hairdressers and when I happened to mention it, everyone looked at me in disbelief. So I stood up and just dropped down into the splits, spurred on by the sharp intake of breath from the other customers and staff, before springing back up again, laughing triumphantly.
Although I think nothing of achieving this feat these days, there’s a certain irony that I could barely even touch my toes when I was young – I never even did gymnastics or ballet as a child.
Nor did I ever see other little girls who could fling themselves into this position, though I’d have been impressed if I had.
It wasn’t until I was in my early 40s that I set myself the challenge of becoming more flexible and doing the splits was clearly the ultimate test of that. It took me five months of daily practice before I was finally able to do it properly, so I certainly had to work at it.
Jane said it took a lot of practice to be able to get both legs on the floor but it gave her a lot of confidence when she achieved it
I started out with a huge pile of cushions under my bottom and every couple of weeks, as my flexibility improved, I took one away until I was able to put both of my legs flat on the floor, one behind me, the other in front.
Having finally mastered the skill I didn’t want to lose it, so I now make sure to do the splits once every few months, just to make sure I still can.
My husband is full of admiration and loves the fact I am still as supple and flexible as a much younger woman.
I have a bit of arthritis in my right index finger, but otherwise I’m fortunate not to have any ailments.
I think yoga helps keep me healthy and supple, and being able to do the splits is a reassuring sign that I’m still flexible.
Jody says it’s rare that she actually does the splits but she still enjoys the thrill of it
It’s nice to be able to tell people I can do the splits because I think young ones assume that older people, like me, can’t do very much.
Like in the hairdressers the other day, it’s rather satisfying seeing the shocked look on their faces when I go down into the splits. We can become invisible to the rest of society as we age, but doing the splits, especially in your 70s, is a fun way to prove you’re alive and kicking.
Gabby Logan says she hopes to be still able to do the splits when she’s 60, but I say why settle for that?
I intend to be doing them when I’m 90.
Jody Lawrance, 55, is a mother of three and grandmother of five from East Grinstead, West Sussex. She was a community care worker until 17 years ago, when she trained to be a yoga teacher. She says:
I discovered yoga in my 30s while working as a teaching assistant at my children’s school when I was asked to help out in a session.
I loved it so much that, eight years later, I trained to become a yoga teacher myself and learnt to do the splits in 2003, aged 42, much to the astonishment (and pride) of my family.
To be honest, it’s very rare that I actually do the splits, perhaps once a year, because there’s not much call for me to do it.
HOW TO DO IT (BE CAREFUL!)
From a kneeling position, put one foot in front of you on a mat, step or other object one foot off the ground, with your leg bent at 90 degrees.
With your hips pushed forward, slide your other leg back, bending your knee.
Your torso should be facing straight, not to the side, and the chest up, even if squaring your hips means you can’t go down as far. Both legs should be straight and turned slightly outwards, toes pointed.
Once you’re comfortable doing so, you can remove your front foot from the step or mat.
It is vital to always stretch the muscles and ligaments in your legs before attempting to do the splits.
However, every time I do, it’s good to discover I can still manage it and I love the thrill of it.
My grandchildren are very proud to have a granny who can perform such a feat, I don’t suppose many can, and it’s been a huge boost for my body confidence. I love the fact I am strong and agile.
Last year I went to a splits workshop and the teacher took photos of me in the splits beforehand, to promote the next workshop.
Only I and one other attendee were able to get into the full splits – and I was one of the oldest there.
I do lots of forward bending and stretching, using the muscles you engage to do the splits, most days, so I’m sure this helps keep me supple. I’m strong but not skinny. Up until my mid-40s I was a size eight but I’m now a size 10-12.
People seem surprised to see an older person do the splits but I don’t think there’s any limit to how long I’ll be able to carry on.
It’s when we stop working our bodies that we stiffen up, and I’ve no intention of ever doing that.