Front split or side split
The answer comes from two places:
- Experience and Observation
- The science of kinesiology, on which the Zaichik Stretching techniques are based.
Side Split
You see side split requires a lot less muscles to be stretched than the front split. (True or Squared Front Split) All you need is:
- 4 adductors
- 1 hip flexor
- medial hamstrings
Stretching wise that’s 5 exercises. ( You’ll see why 5 in a second)
Front Split
While to get into a good front split, you need a lot more.
- 6 Hip Flexors, 4 adductors and that’s just the back leg.
- Medial and Lateral Hamstrings (4 heads in total)
- another head of adductor magnus
- glutes
- piriformis.
That’s 8 techniques for the back leg. (7 if conservative) And 6 for the front leg ( 5 if conservative).
Front Split or Side Split: So Which One is Easier?
You see 5 exercise for he side split and at least 12 for the front split. But hold on. We are not done. It’s 5 vs 12 if, we are talking about front split with one leg in front. If you want both legs, that’s 5 vs 24.
Wow, right? Crazy. Well, it does not end there.
Remember Zaichik Stretching technique will get you flexible, but you want to keep that flexibility, right?
To do that, supporting exercises are employed. And since a “Front split” is really two splits (right leg in front and left leg in front) there it takes twice as much time to do the front split, in terms of times spent during the training session.
The beautiful part now is the following. With proper training, you can get both splits quickly and safely. If you are interested in mastering the splits, please see the programs below.

Let us show you how to achieve a Side Split Fast, Safe and Easy! Our programs are scientifically based and created by a world-renowned fitness & flexibility expert Paul Zaichik
Ever wonder what muscles are involved in a Side Split? Here’s the answer:
Click on the picture below to learn more about the Side Splits Combo: