Flexibility Before Strength

I can't count how many times I see someone at the gym going heavier on Front Squats than they should. Not because they aren't strong enough.  If they were not strong enough, they wouldn't able to lift it.  It's because they still are not proficient in the movement itself dues to issues pertaining to flexibility. 

FLEXIBILITY FOLKS!  We all need it. 

This isn't just that "Can you touch your toes?" flexibility like in the old presidential fitness exams in elementary school.  We are talking about full mobility in all the major joints in your body. Ankle, Knee, Hips, Wrists, Elbows and Shoulders.  

It's really easy to get some one strong, but it is a major challenge to get some one to be flexible when they h ave step their entire life working to become inflexible.  Yeah, you heard me... It takes work to get to a point where you can't lift your arms up over head.  

So what do we do?

We work on it EVERY SINGLE DAY.  When some one comes in to work with Coach Takano and they have overhead flexibility issues, Coach T immediately starts working the movements that the athlete is limited in.  That athlete does this until they are flexible and let me tell you something... IT WORKS!

Just like I can for you.  Get with a Coach to diagnose what the limiting factors of your flexibility are with whatever movement you are frustrated with.  From there, Research mobility drills you can use to break up all the tensions, scar tissue and adhesions you have that limit your mobility.  Test and retest those movements and be diligent about your pursuit of getting the best out of your flexibility.

Then and Only then, we can talk about getting you stronger.  Trust me, Strength will come a lot faster if you address the limitations of your flexibility BEFORE hitting the weights hard.

Amy moves too fast for the camera!

 

Training:

5 Rounds for time of:

15 Unbroken Pull Ups

400m Run

10 Touch and Go Power Cleans (60/40)

 

Games Training:

A: Push Press: (x/3)5

B: Overhead Squat: (x/3)5 

 

Post results and thoughrts to comments. 

Comments

[joob]

24:08 @ 60kg not rx, broke pull ups couple times and cleans many times.

Took my time on the run because I was hesitant to go all out and not be able to clean the weight.

[Wayne]

27.52 went 50kg on the cleans, I could do 60 no problem but I really wanted to work on form for touch n go and focus on doing band assisted pull ups instead of jumping to build my lat and bicep strength. I didn't have any stoppies on the "jog" so I was pretty happy about that, gas tank felt good. Rounds 1-5 of the cleans were unbroken, all rounds of the pullups were unbroken (as in I didn't let go even if I felt my arms were going to melt from the burning sensation while hanging on with bands.) I'm happy with todays work.

Want to do supplemental but I think I'll just go back to sleep instead. Rest is my friend.

[OGB]

18:56 Rx

[Waltisbadical]

Phew, at least there is running