One thing I wish more people understood is that most folks who feel “tight” don’t need to be stretching more; they need to be lifting more.
Let me break it down.
Muscle tightness is a sensation that does not necessarily indicate the need for more flexibility in the muscles. When a muscle feels tight but isn’t at its end range of motion, it’s often a sign of relative weakness. This is because our nervous systems constantly monitor our bodies to keep them safe, and when our nervous system detects a vulnerability or weakness in a muscle, it often signals tightness as a protective response.
Stretching alone typically isn’t the solution to relieve chronic muscle tightness. While stretching might temporarily relieve that tightness by diverting the attention of our nervous system, it doesn’t address the underlying issue of muscle weakness. Focusing solely on flexibility without building sufficient strength in that range is largely a waste of time if the goal is to reduce muscle “tightness”.
So how do we relieve chronic tightness? We build strength throughout the full range of motion. By improving strength and reducing vulnerability, the nervous system allows for greater access to build strength in greater ranges of motion (read: mobility).
To be real with you, I can’t even remember the last time I bothered with passive stretching. So, the next time your hips or traps feel “tight,” I’d consider picking up something moderately heavy and loading up those tight muscles. I’d be willing to bet you’d get a higher ROI than a stretching session.
For guidance on improving your mobility (building strength through a full range of motion), reach out to one of our mobilty experts at Eastside Athletics Personal Training & Coaching!