Comments on: Mobility Vs Flexibility: Do You Understand Them?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:28:24 +0000

I understand the theory behind doing a dynamic warmup rather than static stretching prior to a workout. But I’ve tried both approaches, and my own experience has been that I get significantly more active range of motion in my activity (martial arts) when I do a static stretching routine beforehand. I also find that my muscles, tendons and joints feel tighter and hurt more when I start with a dynamic warmup. Maybe I’m a physiological anomaly or something, I don’t know. I do jump rope or ride an exercise bicycle for a few minutes before I do the static stretching, and I usually finish with some dynamic stretches. I would be interested in hearing about other people’s experiences with this.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:26:37 +0000

hey christie

here are some great mobility/ dynamic exercises
http://orgs.jmu.edu/strength/Videos/Ally_Videos/dynamic_warmup_AB.htm

flexibility training is when you purely want to get more flexible, mostly using static stretching.

hope that clears it up

By: christie

christie — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:46:00 +0000

Could you pls give some examples of flexibility training and mobility training to help me differentiate the 2? Thanks a lot.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:18:15 +0000

Aaron,

Yes, stretching before a workout relaxes your muscles, and generally during a workout you want them firing.

There is definitely benefit to stretching when you aren’t working out, but keep in mind, muscles are most receptive to stretching when they are warm. That is why after exercise is generally the best time. However, for example, if I shoulder problems, and my pecs need stretching, I don’t just do it after a workout.

You can stretch at other times, the relaxation effects aren’t something that needs to be limited to after a workout and before bed. Stretching is great for you…just not when you need your nervous system pumped up.

Thanks for your comment

Cheers

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:31:23 +0000

So if I understand correctly, stretching before a work out relaxes the muscles and nervous system. So this is a bad thing before a workout, but may be a good thing before bed. Is there any benefit at all to stretching hen you can not work out besides the fact that it relaxes muscles, or is it kind of a waste of time??

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:29:43 +0000

Very true Mehdi, habits are hard to break. Generally once someone has tried the dynamic warm up or mobility before a workout and see the benefits, they don’t go back. It really does get you firing.

By: Mehdi

Mehdi — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:38:15 +0000

A lot of people still hang on to the passive stretches pre workout. Bad for CNS, increases rate of injuries, etc. Dynamic is the way to go pre workout. Good post Lauren.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:48:13 +0000

fitman,

Well the best thing to do would be to stretch during your work day, and perhaps a little before bed. However, if you really cant move away from it. Integrate passive stretching into a dynamic warmup. That way you can get the best of both worlds. Do some light bike or cardio, have a small stretch, then move into mobility work. This way the mobility will be the last stimulus you have, and will still leave you firing and ready to go.

By: fit man

fit man — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:10:31 +0000

Its hard for me to move away from static stretching in my warm up because I’ve been doing it for so long that i just don’t feel right without doing it. Also I am often stiff from sitting all day and the previous day’s workout. Is there any way around this?