Mobility Is The New Stretching - Part 1
The Store
General Health

How to Warm Up Properly

Stretching may be part of your exercise routine - but know that it is not enough. It is important to include mobilization to increase your Range of Motion (ROM) and address movement problems. The article below details the various ways to include mobilization in your routine

  • Mobilization is a full-body approach to holistically address movement
  • Watch the YouTube videos below to learn how to use mobilization techniques for your hips and shoulders
  • Increase your Range of Motion (ROM) with mobilization techniques

Mobility is the New Stretching - Part 1

Stretching has become a standard pre-workout routine, and if you ask someone why they do it, most will say “to be flexible.” However, physiotherapist, Dr. Kelly Starrett, tells us that stretching is not a full-body approach.

"Stretching only focuses on the lengthening of short and tight muscles. Mobilization, on the other hand, is a movement-based integrated full-body approach that addresses all the elements that limit movement and performance. It includes short and tight muscles, soft tissue restriction, joint capsule restriction, motor control problems, joint range of motion dysfunction, and neural dynamic issues. In short, mobilization is a tool to holistically address movement and performance problems."  via: MobilityWOD

  • Mobilization is a crucial tool to increase the range of motion (ROM), improve form and produce greater force from certain movements.
  • The relationship between your femur and hip capsule could be hindering your ROM in deadlifts. Improving this could greatly advance your deadlift.
  • Mobilizing the relationship between your humerus and shoulder capsule could have a positive effect on your bench presses because it helps develop pressing movements.

While stretching prolongs the muscles, it does not always achieve what we think it can. From a mobility perspective, we address all aspects that could restrict our movements; this improves form, generates greater force in movements and increases ROM.  

Hips

Say that you are deadlifting today. You plan to hit some PR in front of your mates and you know that hamstrings are the force generator. So, you stretch and warm up, put five plates on each side….wow why am I still so stiff?

Your hamstrings aren't the only thing hindering the ROM with your deadlifts; the relationship between the head of your femur and hip capsule is also key. Improving that association gives you a mechanical advantage by being able to reach lower, as it gives the end range of your hamstrings more torque.

So, how could we improve? See how Kelly guides us through:

Shoulders

The humerus and shoulder capsules work in a similar manner to the hip and femur. Improving the relationship between these two components helps with pressing movements during bench presses, because our shoulder blades are able to stick on the bench and more force is created. Here are some suggestions from Barbell Shredded to improve your shoulder’s joint and capsule relationship:


A healthy joint with the bone head intact reduces the chance of dislocation and helps improve movement efficiency. Improving the connection between the joint and the capsule not only benefits lifters, but also helps athletes.

Bring a resistance band to the gym next time and try this technique out. The improvement will amaze you, and you can start working towards hitting your PR.

This post is part of a 3-part series! Click here for part 2 and learn about how you could help mobilize your soft tissues

Share this article
Shop the article
180ml
Retail Price: $11.90
Our Price: $11.00
- 7%
1L
Retail Price: $44.60
Our Price: $32.00
- 28%
15g + 25g X 10 / 400g/14.1oz
Our Price: $158.00
Item not added to cart

Sorry we are unable to fulfill your request.
You can only add to the cart.

Go to cart
Continue shopping