Popsugar Health & Fitness Challenges What Is the Viral Flex Challenge on Social Media? The "Flex Challenge" Is Taking Over the Internet, and It Looks Damn Near Impossible 13 January 2020 by Victoria Messina View this post on Instagram A post shared by jax (@jax.kranitz) on Jan 8, 2020 at 9:10am PST The latest internet challenge doesn't involve ingesting Tide Pods or unscrewing a bottle cap while doing a roundhouse kick — it tests your flexibility like it's probably never been tested before and may even pull a muscle of two in the process if you're not careful. Don't say we didn't warn you. Dubbed the Flex Challenge, the now-viral stunt was thrust into the spotlight by college gymnast Jax Kranitz. A student at the University of Iowa, Jax recently shared a video in which she somehow manages to go from lying on her stomach with her hands behind her back to a standing position, all without rolling onto her side or back. Her legs whip outward into a split at such an impressive speed, I think I pulled my groin simply watching her nail the move in one fell swoop. Related: 4 Yoga Strap Stretches to Increase Your Flexibility Jax's video has since spread like wildfire across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, with tons of brave souls attempting the Flex Challenge. Though some have successfully done it without going to the hospital for a dislocated hip, thanks to a shortcut that evades doing a split, others wound up looking like a floundering fish out of water while trying to master it. Watch a handful of Flex Challenge videos that've been shared on social media so far ahead, and please, for the love of all that is good, stretch, know your physical limits, and be cautious if you can't resist trying this one at home. Jax Kranitz's Original Flex Challenge Video View this post on Instagram A post shared by jax (@jax.kranitz) on Jan 8, 2020 at 9:10am PST 1 / 8 View this post on Instagram A post shared by KiSS 92.5 (@kiss925) on Jan 13, 2020 at 10:06am PST 2 / 8 #FlexChallenge 💪 lay on the floor with your hands behind your back and try standing up without going on your side 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/UJTmhEmmtS— Elvis Duran Show (@ElvisDuranShow) January 10, 2020 3 / 8 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Boho Yoga&Stretch by Valentina (@boho.stretch) on Jan 11, 2020 at 3:43am PST 4 / 8 I just killed the Gymnast Jax Kranitz #FlexChallenge 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tUv2l7mN6I— Tipsy Bartender (@TipsyBartender) January 9, 2020 5 / 8 6 / 8 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Momstrosity (Stephanie+Eliza) (@momstrosityco) on Jan 12, 2020 at 6:50pm PST 7 / 8 View this post on Instagram A post shared by 👑 V 🖤🏋🏽♀️🇵🇷🎼✊🏽❤️ (@issafitmama) on Jan 11, 2020 at 7:04pm PST 8 / 8 ChallengesGymnasticsSocial Media