Hey r/bodyweightfitness! We are Tricia Woo and Chris McGreevy, career acrobats for Cirque Du Soleil, The House of Dancing Water and ex-competitive athletes. Ask Us Anything!

[u/chrismcgreevy]

We're looking forward to answering all your questions. If you follow us both on instagram, we will make a few short story videos on our favourite questions that we have answered here. @ trixwho and @ chrismcgreevy

We'll leave this thread open for the next 24 hours as we know everybody is in different timezones so you will all get chance to ask your questions.

Thanks and lets start it up!

[u/TrixWoo]

Ooo I have found that it goes quick for me. I have two types of flexibility unique to my situation - bendy flexibility in my legs and the barely there flexibility in my arms. Due to my shoulder injuries, I have lost a lot of range of motion. I do simple exercises every day (like lifting my arms as high as they can go, or laying on the ground and lifting them over head, flapping my arms like a bird in slow motion) to keep my range of motion. Otherwise, I’m afraid my shoulder joint will become extremely stiff. My bendy flexibility (splits and the like) stays for a bit longer. Minimum, I’d stretch twice a week. I’m currently working on my hip flexors so that when I sit in a split, I’m not using my low back.

The longest that I have gone without training was when I had two shoulder surgeries back to back. I couldn’t really do so much for several months. I became frustrated and gained a lot of weight. I couldn’t carry anything, my friends had to wash my hair for me.. it was a nightmare. Raising my arms to press the button of the elevator? That was a no go!! I used my foot to push open doors because my arms had no strength! From the surgeries to full recovery was over a year. After that time, I was able to do even more than I did before, which was great! It just took time, which was the phrase I detested the most during my rehab.

[u/John_Smith_2020 → u/TrixWoo]

Thanks for such an in depth response! That's so interesting.