lifting and stretching are the same exact thing

they are just on opposite ends of the spectrum

both are applying mechanical tension to your muscle fibers

quick thread

This is why you won’t make much flexibility gains without strength in that range

& why you won’t make strength gains operating without utilizing more of your range of motion

again, they are applying the same principle to make changes

think about it like basic algebra & physics

force = mass x acceleration

And the “acceleration” bit is kinda counterintuitive because obviously stretching you are static

but think of the acceleration in this example for either lifting as the tension and range in & of a muscle

When you are lifting, you have more mass, and have more tension, but less range

your body will only give you the range you are able to control (by applying force in the antagonist muscle group to dynamically oppose and stabilize the motor pattern)

and so if you think back to the f = ma equation

if you can get MORE range you can add more “acceleration” and produce more force

this is why a 6’0” person would always outperform athletically a 5’9” person all else equal (same skeletal/tendon ratios, same strength numbers)

And so, then on the flip side when you are stretching, you have more range, relatively less tension, and way less mass applied to the motor pattern

and this is why people most times do not make any mobility gains even if they “stretch”

You need to be able to apply more FORCE overall in the range you are training, and the only way to do that is to add mass/tension to the end range you are trying to add mobility to

Otherwise you will still lack the ability to counter produce force and your nerv. system restricts

So what is the takeaway then?

If mobility is the goal contextually, I like to tell my clients think of certain lifts as weighted stretching, and of stretching as long time duration lifts (producing FORCE in the stretch)

If we look at an example:

let’s say you come to me and your hamstrings are TIGHT as fuck.

You want to fix.

What do most people try?

maybe they are hitting hamstring curls in the gym

and then they do 2-3 sets 30 seconds of touch your toes hamstring stretch

Most don’t make progress this way.

what would be BETTER using the application of this thread?

to think about the INTENT using this framework

when you’re doing hamstring curls, if you aren’t fully extended and working through out your fullest ROM (from full knee extension to full knee flexion)

you aren’t helping yourself add RANGE to where you can apply FORCE

And when you are stretching, if you are producing maximal tension (some stretches you can simply add weight, or by deeply getting into your “uncomfortable” *not painful* range and flexing opposing muscle group to allow deeper stretch, and for long enough time...

then conversely you won’t add FORCE to where you can apply RANGE

they are synergistic in allowing your body to gain USABLE mobility in a movement/muscle group/motor pattern you are trying to train

you need both

hopefully this is helpful to you

if you liked I always appreciate if you share the first tweet

happy to answer questions as well.

thread prompted by me working through my own weighted mobility routine this Saturday afternoon as we speak.

God bless y’all!