Sheldon’s Corner: Flexibility vs. Mobility
When it comes to CrossFit, there are many components that come to mind which embody this style of training. The most common are strength, endurance, muscle growth, fat loss, power, etc…but the two that are often left out of the discussion are flexibility and mobility. These two are often not emphasized enough by trainers and unfortunately become the bottom of the priority list for athletes. But, mobility is an indication on how well and efficiently we move and even helps us ward off injuries, while flexibility allows for better performance when playing sports or exercising and in your day-to-day activities, such as bending, walking and lifting. Today we will focus on the difference between the two and how important they are.
Flexibility is defined as the range of motion of your joints or the ability of your joints to move freely. It also refers to the mobility of your muscles, which allows for more movement around the joints. Range of motion is the distance and direction your joints can move, while mobility is the ability to move without restriction. A person with great mobility is able to perform functional movement patterns with no restrictions in the range of motion of those movements. A flexible person may or may not have the core strength, balance, or coordination to perform the same functional movements as the person with great mobility. There are a host of possible muscle imbalances that cause this, but these problems can be fixed with a combination of soft-tissue work (foam rolling), stretching, and strengthening. Flexibility is a component of mobility.
Some really important areas to keep flexible and mobile are the neck, mid back, lower back, hip flexors, hamstrings, and calf muscles. It is important that all these areas receive foam rolling, stretching, and strengthening. In doing so, you will improve your squat, deadlift, and several other Olympic movements. The following are a few benefits of Flexibility and Mobility:
- Increases range of motion: Flexibility and Mobility helps improve the range of motion of your joints and muscles
- Decreases your risk of injury: When your muscles are flexible, you are less likely to become injured during physical activity.
- Reduced muscle soreness: Flexibility and Mobility can help reduce muscle soreness post-workout. Stretching after you exercise keeps your muscles loose and relaxed.
- Improves athletic performance: When your joints and muscles are flexible, you use less energy while in motion, which improves your overall performance.
Flexibility and Mobility are crucial components to your overall health and fitness performance. Do not underestimate their importance and make sure they become a priority in your workout regiment.