FLEXIBILITY VS MOBILITY

FLEXIBILITY VS MOBILITY

Flexibility, mobility - same thing right?

Wrong.

Both terms are often used interchangeably as if they’re the same thing, but they are not.

So what’s the difference? What are the benefits? How do you include them in your training?

WHAT IS FLEXIBILITY?

Flexibility is defined as the ability to passively achieve extended ranges of motion. Stretching helps to improve this. There are different stretching techniques, the most familiar being static and dynamic stretching.

WHAT DOES STRETCHING DO?

In the short term, your body is granted a bit more range of motion than usual immediately after you stretch, as it alters the viscoelastic properties of the muscles. However, this is only temporary.

In the long term, after lots of stretching, this extended range of motion becomes more permanent. But this does not happen because your muscles have been made ‘longer’ as it’s commonly thought. It occurs because you increase the ‘stretch tolerance’ of your muscles.

Have you ever wondered why you can only stretch so far before your body refuses to let you go further? This happens because of the stretch reflex, a safety mechanism that kicks in when you stretch a muscle up to a certain point. It’s there to protect you from potential injury.

After lots of stretching, the stretch reflex is delayed, allowing you to move into deeper ranges before it kicks in. Thus, your stretch tolerance is increased. Therefore, stretching works by convincing your nervous system to allow you access to an increased range of motion.

THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING

To move and function well through life, especially during physical activities, we need a reasonable amount of flexibility in our joints. Stretching is one training method that can help us to achieve that.

However, as the definition of flexibility points out, this range of motion is only ‘passive’. If we don’t have strength and control over our ranges of motion, then it’s pretty useless.

That means stretching alone does not decrease the risk of injury or improve performance – that’s where mobility comes in.

WHAT IS MOBILITY?

Mobility is a fitness attribute, much like flexibility, strength, power, and aerobic fitness.

Mobility can be defined as the ability to actively achieve extended ranges of motion. Think of mobility as a combination of flexibility and strength. The sum of which makes up your total movement capacity.

THE BENEFITS OF MOBILITY

Mobility is a desirable fitness attribute. You could argue it’s a prerequisite fitness attribute for other fitness attributes- because you first have to move well!

The benefits include things like:

Greater movement capacity

Joint health and longevity

Improved performance

Lower risk of injury

HOW TO IMPROVE MOBILITY

Mobility can be improved through a variety of training methods. Remember that mobility is a combination of flexibility and strength. So these methods should aim to improve both components.

STRETCHING

As we’ve touched on, stretching is a training method that can improve flexibility (one of the key components of mobility). So it’s a useful method for this purpose.

WHAT TYPE OF STRETCHING IS BEST?

Dynamic stretching is a great way to prepare for physical activity, such as going for a run or strength training. But to make a real dent in your flexibility, static stretching reigns superior. Holds of up to two minutes or more are the requisite time to get an effective training effect.

There are more stretching methods, but these two are the most widely understood.

STRENGTH TRAINING

Strength training is an excellent way to improve mobility. As long as you are selecting exercises that move your joints through full ranges of motion, then strength training is basically ‘loaded stretching’ which improves both flexibility and strength (and thus, mobility).

This is a big reason why it’s best to structure your strength training around the fundamental human movement patterns (squat and hinge for the lower body, push and pull for the upper body).

If you strength train in this way, you will gradually expand your range of motion over time and will have strength and control over the fundamental human movements (squatting down, bending at the hips, reaching your arms overhead, etc). Your ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and back will all thank you!

OTHER OPTIONS

I put ‘other’ because there are numerous methods and systems that have been developed in an attempt to improve the way you move. Functional Range Conditioning, in my opinion, is the gold standard mobility system (it’s a science-driven system to improve mobility). Some forms of yoga, pilates, and movement practices like animal flow can all be great methods too.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

We’ve covered a lot in this post and I want to wrap it up by leaving you with some practical takeaways.

So remember -

Stretching is a training method that improves flexibility.

Mobility is a fitness attribute that is a combination of flexibility and strength.

So now you know, what should you do?

STRENGTH TRAIN AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK

Strength training is fundamental to mobility – ensuring that you move and function well in your body. To get the most out of your strength training from a mobility standpoint – structure your training around theses fundamental human movement patterns:

Squat (goblet squat, barbell squat, split squat, lunges, etc)

Hinge (hip thrusts, Romanian deadlifts, deadlifts)

Push (push-ups, DB press, overhead press, etc)

Pull (rows, pulldowns, pull-ups, etc).

INCLUDE A MOBILITY PRACTICE IN YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE

Strength and cardio workouts are well understood and adopted by most gym-goers in one form or another. But you can also dedicate some time to improving mobility too.

This can take the form of short mobility routines where you string together a collection of mobility methods such as dynamic stretching and active movements. These are great to do ad hoc, to break up a day at the office, or perhaps as part of your morning routine.

You can also perform a longer, more structured mobility practice on your rest days or days off from strength and cardio workouts. Again, you can mix and match techniques that you’re familiar with or follow a system of training that specializes in improving your mobility.

Learn how to put all the components needed for a successful fat weight loss program together by contacting me on 07971 22 22 35 to schedule your time TODAY!

Blog Written by Tanvir Heer Coaching

Personal Trainer Online | Harrow | Wembley | Pinner | Northwood | Stanmore | Northolt | Greenford | Ruislip | Hayes | London | Perivale | Horsenden Hill