Getting all the way down in your splits can be a challenge, but it is without question doable! It just takes practice, patience, and consistency. No doubt some of us are more blessed than others when it comes to flexibility, but as they say, you've got to work with what you've been given. 

While some of us may be able to master the splits in a few short weeks, others may need to practice for months or even years. However, the good news is that everyone is capable. Simply put, if you put in the work, you will see the results. 

Below are five exercises that, when practiced with dedication, will result in increased flexibility and those full splits that you've always dreamed of achieving.

1) Gravity splits

Sit facing a wall and lie down on your back while placing your legs up the wall. You want to make sure that your booty is touching the wall and that the back of the legs are firmly pressed against the wall. Open your legs wide and keep them inline with one another. If you are new to gravity splits, sit in the pose for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, slowly opening your legs wider each minute until time is up. This is a great way to get your middle splits and increase the range of flexibility and mobility in those hip sockets. If and when you are ready, you can add ankle weights.

2) Wall splits

Stand with your back to the wall and bend forward placing your hands on the floor. Take one of your legs up the wall and walk your heel back so that it is close or touching the baseboard. Pick a leg and extend it all the way up the wall, keeping the knee turned under and on the wall and the pelvic area pressing toward the wall. You want to extend through your standing leg, straightening the knee and the hamstring to the best of your ability. Hold this for at least a minute. Then, you have the option to turn the hip open so that the knee of the extended leg is no longer against the wall but facing toward the side in a turned out position. Hold each of these position for at least one minute, and then switch to the other side.

3) Elevated splits

This one is great for building hyper-extended splits and extensions. Place a comfortable, elevated item under your heel as you sit in your split. Make sure the item is at least 2 inches in height, but feel free to make it as high as you can withstand. Allow the rest of your body to press down toward the floor as that leg remains elevated. You can do this in any split: right, left, or middle.

4) Band extensions

Grab a TheraBand or stretch strap and place it around the arch of your foot as you lie on your back. Extend the bottom leg straight out in front of you, keeping it on the ground. Lift the leg that is in the strap up in the air. Extend through the backs of both knees, straightening the legs completely. With each breath, pull the straps down and bring the leg closer and closer to the face. You will reach a point in which you start to shake if you are doing it right. Keep straightening those legs and pulling down on that strap until you can't go any further. Once at that point, hold there for as long as you can, and then release and switch out the legs.

5) Do the splits

Last but not least, just do the splits. Try and sit in each split every day for at least one minute. As you continue this practice, increase the amount of time that you sit in each splits. The more consistent you practice this the faster you will see results. As a kid, they used to encourage us to sit in the splits while we did our homework -- give it a try or build your way up to it.

As with reaching any goal, you get out what you put in to it. Stay dedicated and consistent and in no time you will be posting pictures of yourself in the splits with a smile on your face.