Mobility is quite often misinterpreted. Many people believe mobility is flexibility, yet they are very different. Understanding this difference will help you achieve your goals.
What is mobility?
The active or useable range of motion through a joint. Compared to flexibility which is passive or non active range. Engaging your muscles to move through the maximum range they are able while maintaining form. It is Strength + Flexibility.
What is mobility training?
With mobility training we focus on not only the movement but motor control to increase the joints range of motion. We push to an end range with tension and control, rather than just relaxing into a ‘stretch’.
When should we do it?
Mobility training can be done at any time, however, to see the best results perform it as part of your warm up. You can then utilise the extra range of motion you have gained during your training, and with this strengthening your neural pathways and increasing your ability to perform movements.
Why is it important?
Mobility training should be part of your routine to not only improve your movement patterns but increase your ability to perform lifts, in turn increasing strength, and decreasing your risk of injury.
How do we use mobility training at FST? PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) is a common form we use on Saturday to really push the limits of each joint, it is intense enough to sweat and completely safe to do before training!
We also utilise tools like KettleBells, Macebells, Clubbells and Bands to find out useable end range, improving not only mobility but stability.
Stay tuned for next blog about stability.
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