Strength, joint mobility, and flexibility?

[senorblanco]

I have done some research about strength. I have done this by reading "The Life of Joseph Greenstein" by Ed Spielman, and other articles on the web about Arhur Saxon and people like him. One person that I thoroughly like is John Brookfield. I have started nail bending and have all his kettlebell DVD's. He truly has phenomonal strength. One thing that I notice though is in his videos he has limited mobility and flexibility. Can you have it all? I guess, in theory, I am asking; Can you have your cake and eat it too?

[Scott Sonnon]

Joel,

There's only one way to know for certain. :wink:

Every man defines for himself his priorities - his value hierarchy. I place health and mobility as the highest premium and as such everything that I've done organizes itself in that direction. Others arrange their value hierarchies differently. They are not 'wrong' in my opinion for doing so, if they accomplish their goals - even if those means or that ends contradict my approach. It's all inner perfection we seek, ultimately. The only question is if the means most expediently propel YOU to your goals.

Do what makes you fulfilled. Do it consistently and with gradual, but continual challenges. Do it with compassion and patience for yourself for their is no value in charging, and because incremental progression will get you there faster anyway.

[kcsportsdoc]

Hi Joel,

Chiming in with the ole 2 cents:

You can have it all. Just maybe not all at once. What are you training for? What is the purpose behind your efforts? Ask yourself that question and arrange your daily practice accordingly. Assess yourself. Where are the weaknesses and restrictions? I'm not advising incessant navel-gazing. Merely suggesting that honest self-evaluation (and independent evaluation) are key elements to continued progress.

Walkin' the Walk.

[Robert V]

I think this is a good question. Because of my former heavy traditional training, I was able to gain a lot of strength and muscle mass. Yet, that same lifting and muscle mass hinders my shoulder, back and hip mobility.

When I see guys "flowing" in beautiful K-chains, most are slender guys with little muscle mass.

I once thought, "Let me see a 220lb former bodybuilder or powerlifter exhibit his bodyflow in beautiful kinetic chains." For I never saw anyone that looked like me. There was Coach Szolek, but he was almost half my age and one who developed strength and mobility equally, without a lengthy unbalanced history.

Then, I realized that I could be the first! I could be the first to 200+ guy to exhibit both strength, mobility and flexibilty!

Why do I have to play off of others definitions, assumptions and expectations.

Maybe I can combine the strength of John Brookfield and the mobility of Scott Sonnon and create something original, by simply making me the best me I can be...without limitations! If I don't, who cares. For the journey will be well worth it, whether I make it or not.
:D

You be the first!

[Scott Sonnon]

Awesome, Robert. Beautifully said.

[Charlie McCarthy]

great post Robert