Hello and welcome to this week’s blog – Use it or Lose it – Part 2. Continuing on from last week, discussing mobility and why you need to USE IT OR LOSE IT.
Along with grey hairs and more wrinkles, less mobility seems to be that cornerstone marker of old age, ageing, and retirees.
The dictionary classes mobility as:
mobility
[məʊˈbɪləti]
NOUN
- the ability to move or be moved freely and easily. – “this exercise helps retain mobility in the damaged joints”
synonyms:
ability to move · movability · moveableness · motility · vigour · strength · potency · transportability · portability · manoeuvrability
… and that is the crux of it. The ability to move or be moved freely and easily. Note that one of its synonyms is ‘strength’, watch out for that one, I will be mentioning it again in a bit.
Having good mobility is not something that happens overnight, and therefore losing it doesn’t happen overnight either. It all boils down to lifestyle.
Introducing mobility work can be a great place to start, even if you do not currently undertake regular exercise.
What is Mobility Work?
When I say mobility work, I am referring to exercise which actively tests and strengthens your ability to move well. This is not just about lifting weights, which can decrease mobility if it is the only thing you do when you exercise.
Mobility work is making your body move in a challenging way, in all the ways it can move. I am not asking you to go out and emulate a gymnast’s or pro-athletes workout, but chances are, if you are creaky in a joint, then you could well be neglecting its movement potential when you do move.
Confused? Think about the exercise you currently do, now think about what part of your body feels ‘sticky’ or restrictive, or movements you simply do not make when exercising, and there will be something. You might not realise it at first, but it will be there if you do not regularly participate in mobility work.
If you continue to ignore these restrictions, they can build up to hurt over time, or be the source of an injury.
And an injury could take you out of your favourite activity for far longer than you want, or cause long term mobility issues… ergo, ‘losing it’.
Thank you for taking time to read this week’s blog – Use it or Lose it – Part 2, please check by next week to find out where to start with mobility work.
Remember… Use it or lose it.
Chloe
PS I sell massage and Personal Training gift vouchers for a thoughtful and alternative Valentine’s Day gift!