What’s the Difference Between Mobility and Flexibility?
When tackling any fitness regime, you’ll hear the terms ‘mobility’ and ‘flexibility’ being thrown around quite a lot. But what do these terms mean, and how do they play into our fitness goals? Let’s break it down.
Flexibility: More than Just Bending
The term flexibility refers to the ability of our muscles to lengthen. Think about when you are reaching down to tie your shoe, stretching your hands above your head or bend over to pick up a pen that fell on the floor. We depend on flexibility to perform these everyday actions with ease.
However, flexibility isn’t just about being able to do splits or touch your toes. It plays a vital role in keeping our muscles healthy and preventing injuries.
Mobility: The Underappreciated Aspect of Fitness
Where flexibility focuses on muscles, mobility is all about the ability of a joint to move through its full range of motion. Mobility involves not just muscles, but also joints, tendons, and ligaments.
If you participate in sports or follow a fitness routine, mobility becomes highly essential. Improving your mobility can enhance your performance and provide you with better control over your movements, leading to more effective workouts and reduced risk of injury.
Why Both Mobility and Flexibility Matter
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with certain movements or exercises, it could be due to limited mobility or flexibility. They might seem similar, but they both perform different functions and contribute to our physical performance in their own ways.
Taking care of both your flexibility and mobility can lead to better performance in your workouts, a reduced risk of injury, and improved overall health.
How to Improve Mobility and Flexibility
Improving your mobility and flexibility can be as simple as incorporating some stretching and mobility exercises into your workout routine.
Yoga and Pilates are great for both, or you could try specific exercises like lunges, squats, or shoulder rolls. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help!
Take the Next Step with XM Xtra Mile Fitness
Interested in learning more about how you can improve your mobility and flexibility? At XM Xtra Mile Fitness, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Schedule a free no-obligation consultation with one of our coaches—we call it a No Sweat Intro. We’ll chat about your goals, how we can help, and what your personalized fitness plan could look like.
Ready to take the next step and reach your fitness goals? Just click the link below and get started with your No Sweat Intro today. Let’s go the extra mile together with XM Xtra Mile Fitness.