Why Mobility Matters
I have to admit, I don't feel old. In my head, I'm still the same person who was running half-marathons, playing netball every week and generally throwing myself into whatever challenge came along. But over the past year or so, my body has started dropping the odd hint that things are changing.
My knees have developed the occasional click. A shoulder injury is taking far longer to recover than I'd like. My hip lets me know when I've been sitting for too long and my poor Achilles still likes to remind me of an old netball injury every now and then. None of it's stopping me from doing what I love, but it has made me much more aware of the importance of looking after my body.
Firstly, can we just talk about the word mobility for a moment? It doesn't exactly scream ‘exciting fitness goal’, does it? It sounds like something we only start thinking about much later in life. But the truth is, the sooner we start looking after how our bodies move, the better chance we have of staying active, independent and doing the things we love for years to come.
These days, mobility has become just as important to me as strength training. When people think about fitness, they often picture lifting weights, going for a run or taking part in a high-intensity workout. But one of the most valuable things we can do for our bodies – especially as we get older – is simply to keep moving well. Mobility isn't about touching your toes or twisting yourself into impossible yoga poses. It's about maintaining the range of movement you need to live your everyday life comfortably and confidently.
Can you bend down to tie your shoes? Reach into a high cupboard? Carry the shopping? Play on the floor with your children or grandchildren? Get up from the sofa without feeling stiff? These are the movements that really matter. As we age, it's completely normal for our joints and muscles to become a little stiffer if we don't use them regularly. The good news is that it doesn't take hours of stretching or multiple fitness classes each week to make a difference. Just five minutes here and there can go a long way.
Simple stretches, gentle movements and mobility exercises help improve flexibility, increase your range of motion and reduce stiffness. They can also improve posture, balance and body awareness, making everyday tasks feel that little bit easier. Another bonus? They may also help reduce your risk of injury and improve how you perform during strength training and other forms of exercise.
One of my favourite ways to build mobility into everyday life is through habit stacking, as I touched on is a past blog, adding a new habit onto something you already do.
For example:
Stretch while the kettle boils.
Stand up and move after an hour at your desk.
Loosen up your hips after a long car journey.
Spend five minutes stretching before you settle down for the evening.
It doesn't need to be intense, it doesn't need to leave you sweating and it certainly doesn't need to feel like another chore on your to-do list. In fact, I often encourage people to focus on one area of the body at a time. Perhaps your hips one day, your shoulders the next, followed by your back or ankles. Little and often is far more effective than doing an hour once every few weeks.
At Muscle Movement & Mindset, movement is just as important as strength. Yes, building muscle is incredibly valuable, but it's even better when your body can move freely and comfortably alongside it because feeling strong is one thing, feeling strong and moving well is what helps you stay active, independent and confident for years to come.