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It's nearing the end of January, so how are those 2022 goals holding up? If your year's off to a slow start, remember there's no time like the present to get moving. Our 28-day Kick-Start Plan will be just as effective now as it would've been if you'd started on the first Monday of the new year.

Below, find out what the difference between flexibility and mobility is — and more importantly, why it matters for your goals. Plus, get the lowdown on processed foods that are actually good for you and some tactics for staying on track even when your friends and family aren't as enthusiastic about fitness as you are.

No matter where you're at in your fitness journey, we've got your back!

— Rose McNulty, Senior Digital Editor

Flexibility Versus Mobility: What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?

With the rise of social media, functional training and creative exercises, the distinction between the terms “flexibility” and “mobility” have become blurred. So which are you training, and more importantly, does the type of training you’re doing support your goals?

Let’s look at the differences and how to train for each. Then, you can decide whether flexibility or mobility training (or both!) supports your fitness goals best.

Flexibility

When you’re flexible, that means your muscles and fascia are able to fully lengthen. Fascia is like a cobweb that ties everything in the body together, and this lengthening ability is governed by your nervous system. Think of your nervous system as an orchestra conductor here. It’s in charge of coordinating the “stop” and “go” and fine tuning of everything in between.

Mobility

Instead of focusing on lengthening specific muscles and fascia, mobility focuses on how well your joints move. Think of your shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and spine. These are all joints, and most mobility exercises use positions that do not fully stretch muscles.

Find out how to train for both to benefit your routine »

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