Why Stretching Isn’t the Answer to Your Tightness

Stretching isn’t the solution to tight muscles! Learn why strength, stability, and mobility training are the key to lasting relief and better movement

If you constantly feel tight—whether in your hips, lower back, or shoulders—your first instinct might be to stretch. But what if stretching isn’t actually fixing the problem?

Tightness is a Symptom, Not the Root Issue

When a muscle feels tight, it’s often overcompensating for instability somewhere else. Instead of just trying to loosen it up, we need to address why it’s holding tension in the first place.

Common Tightness Patterns & What to Do Instead

Here are some of the most common areas of tightness and what they could really mean:

➡️ Tight Hip Flexors? This could be due to weak glutes and a weak deep core.
✔ Try: Strengthening your glutes with bridges and engaging your deep core properly.

➡️ Tight Lower Back? Your core might not be stabilizing properly, forcing your back muscles to overwork.
✔ Try: Diaphragmatic breathing, dead bugs, and bird dogs to retrain core activation.

➡️ Tight Shoulders & Neck? Poor posture and faulty breathing mechanics contribute to tension here.
✔ Try: Improving rib cage positioning, working on thoracic mobility, and practicing proper breathing techniques.

The Long-Term Solution

Stretching may offer temporary relief, but lasting results come from addressing the underlying weakness or instability. That means incorporating strength, stability, and mobility work into your routine.

The good news? You don’t need separate routines for each. The right exercises can improve strength, stability, and mobility all at once, saving you time and effort. As busy moms, we already juggle enough—there’s no need for a separate strength plan, stability drills, and mobility work on top of everything else. Instead, combine them into one for a smarter, more effective approach.

Ready to Take Action?

💡 Try this week’s Hip Workout: HERE

💡 Struggling with chronic tightness? My 1:1 coaching can help pinpoint the issue and create a plan just for you: E-mail jen@momsfitlife.com

💡 Join our private community for weekly expert tips and workouts: HERE

Categories: : Diastasis, postpartum recovery, Workouts