The BEST Way to Improve Your Mobility

A question that coaches hear often is “how do I improve my mobility?”. Historically, the

common response has been to stretch for hours on end, until the sought after level of mobility

has been achieved. But there’s a better way. Stretches can be effective for increasing the range

of motion at a joint, it’s true, however, the effect is generally a temporary one. To maintain and

improve range in a more lasting way, you’d need to spend A LOT of time stretching. And, let’s

face it, you’re busy.

A more effective – and less time consuming – method, would be to weight train through

a large range of motion. Now, when I say “large range of motion”, I mean using whatever range

you have available to you. For example, if you physically cannot squat Ass to Grass, then don’t.

We want to progress the range we use as much as we can over time, but incrementally, in as

safe a way as possible. The result of this is that you will strengthen the musculature surrounding

the joints, improving stability, and unlocking greater range of motion.

“But Kev, the more range I use, the less weight I can lift!”. That is absolutely right and

exactly the way it should be. We now know that training through as wide a range of motion as

possible, even at lower weights is far more effective for hypertrophy (muscle growth), strength,

mobility, and injury prevention than training using heavier weights through a short range. So the

next time you reach for your dumbbells, barbell, or what have you, consider reducing the weight

a little and work on improving your mobility in addition to your strength.