How do you choose ground-based vs. standing mobility drills?

MOBILITY work has finally arrived in the fitness industry!

People are recognizing that moving your joints is healthy!

They are recognizing that mobility (active ranges of motion) is different from flexibility (passive ranges of motion) and that stretching is ... well... kinda old news.

Muscles are mediated by higher order systems.

So stretching them doesn't always provide a long term result if other higher order issues are present.

So, where do you like to do your mobility work?

Laying on the ground?

Standing up?

Maybe even, hanging?

The truth is, there is no wrong answer!

It's all great!

Where you do your mobility work comes down to what position you want to be most skilled in.

So, that brings us to the SAID Principle!

Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands.

Simply put, our brain and nervous system will adapt to whatever it is that we do!

Even if it's considered a lousy habit like, sitting too much.

How does this effect your mobility efforts?

Simple, if you only do your mobility work laying on the ground it doesn't necessarily translate to performance standing up.

Standing mobility work is often forgot about because it's not as flashy as the other options.

But truth be told, in many cases it requires much more skill.

And for the general population (not the circus peeps), standing on one or two legs is where we want to have the most athletic skill and the most movement options!

This would be the SAID principle in action.

Mobility is very position specific.

If you want to be skilled and granted permission to use your full ranges of motion think position specific mobility.

And, don't forget about the non-flashy stuff!

About the Author:

Taylor Kruse, recently featured in Men's Health, is dedicated to empowering you with the truth and tools for improved health and performance.

His inspiration stems from more than 10 years of education and coaching through systems like Zhealth Performance, The Burdenko Method, and various movement practices.