What is mobility training?

On the surface, a mobility routine might look similar to a stretching routine. But there are crucial differences, and that is where the benefits of it lie.

So, let’s define mobility. It’s basic meaning is having the ability to move freely and easily. Fitness trainer Shona Vertue describes it in a mobility routine video on her YouTube channel (and one of my favourite, educational and easy-to-follow tutorials) as helping you to “develop stability and strength at the end of your range as best as possible… mobility practice is about developing stability.”

How is mobility different to flexibility?

When we compare that to flexibility, which means to bend easily, we can see the difference. In practical terms, a mobility practice will work through and improve the full range of motion of your muscles and joints, where as flexibility training will increase how deep you can hold a static stretch.

Yes, being able to stretch into the splits is great, but being able to lower yourself into a deep squat will definitely have more practical uses. That’s been the other outcome for me since implementing these practices into my workout schedule. I can squat deeper and move my shoulders further which isn’t just helpful for being all-round fit and healthy, but actually improves my workouts. By being able to move further into movements, I can engage more muscles. That makes my workouts more effective and my muscles stronger. It’s win-win-win for me.

Stretching: what is the difference between mobility and flexibility training?