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Education on Mobility Training

Move Freely. Perform Fully. Prevent Injuries​

At The Athletic Edge, mobility is more than flexibility — it’s a combination of joint control, movement awareness, neuromuscular strength, and the ability to access your full range of motion with precision and purpose. We don’t just stretch — we train the body to own every position it moves through, under control and under load.

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With over two decades of experience in movement and performance training, I integrate mobility systems rooted in CARS (Controlled Articular Rotations), end-range isometrics, breath-driven positioning, and strength-based flexibility methods, we approach mobility as a dynamic, active skill — not a passive one.

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Every session is tailored to the athlete’s needs — whether it’s improving hip mobility for quicker change of direction, shoulder function for overhead stability, or full-body control for injury prevention. Mobility work is built into your program intentionally, aligning with your sport, movement profile, and long-term development goals.

 

Education-Driven Coaching

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True mobility begins with understanding how your body is meant to move — and how to restore and control that motion under demand.

I don’t just guide athletes through drills — I teach them the principles behind each movement. Every athlete is educated on:

  • The benefits of Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) training

  • Controlled Articular Rotations (CARS) to build daily joint control

  • Isometric end-range training to increase usable mobility under load

  • Reciprocal inhibition and how muscle pairs work together for smoother movement

  • Breath mechanics to help support position and posture

  • Movement tempo, time under tension, and positional awareness

This knowledge empowers athletes to become self-aware, adaptable movers — prepared to meet the demands of their sport with confidence and control.​

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What is FRC (Functional Range Conditioning)?

​Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) is a mobility and joint training system developed by Dr. Andreo Spina, designed to improve the usable range of motion, joint health, and neuromuscular control of the body.

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Unlike passive flexibility methods, FRC focuses on actively controlling your range — developing strength, resilience, and movement capacity at every joint. The system blends principles of mobility training, strength development, and injury prevention into a science-based methodology used by elite athletes, coaches, and rehab professionals around the world.


FRC teaches the body how to move with precision and power, while maintaining joint integrity. It enhances athletic performance, reduces injury risk, and builds the foundation for high-level strength and coordination.

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What are Controlled Articular Rotations (CARS)?

​Controlled Articular Rotations (CARS) are a foundational mobility practice developed through the Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) system. They involve slow, deliberate, and active movements of a joint through its full, pain-free range of motion, with the goal of maintaining or improving joint health, control, and awareness.

CARS serve as both a training and assessment tool, helping athletes:

  • Isolate and strengthen joint function

  • Identify movement restrictions or compensations

  • Improve neuromuscular control and proprioception

  • Promote joint capsule health and fluid exchange

Unlike passive stretching, CARS require intentional muscular engagement — challenging the body to control movement at the edge of its range. This builds the foundation for safer, more efficient athletic performance and reduces the risk of injury.

 

CARS train your brain to control your body more effectively — joint by joint, rotation by rotation.

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What is Isometric End-Range Training?

​Isometric End-Range Training is a mobility and strength technique that involves creating maximum tension in a specific joint position, typically at the edge (or "end range") of your mobility. The goal is to build strength, control, and tissue adaptation in positions where the body is often weakest — increasing your usable range of motion.

Unlike traditional mobility work that emphasizes passive stretching, end-range isometrics are active — they require the muscles around a joint to contract and stabilize in difficult or vulnerable positions.

Key benefits include:

  • Increased strength at the end of range (where most injuries occur)

  • Improved joint stability and resilience

  • Stronger mind-muscle connection and motor control

  • Tissue remodeling through progressive load at the cellular level

This method is commonly used in Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) and other modern movement systems to create long-lasting, functional flexibility. Over time, athletes gain not just range — but the ability to own and produce force in that range.

 

Isometric End-Range Training bridges the gap between flexibility and usable strength, giving athletes control where they need it most.

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What is Reciprocal Inhibition?

Reciprocal inhibition is a fundamental principle of neuromuscular coordination where one muscle contracts while its opposing muscle relaxes to allow smooth and controlled movement.

 

In simple terms: When one muscle group activates, the body reflexively inhibits (relaxes) the opposing group to allow that movement to happen efficiently.

 

Example:When you contract your biceps to bend your elbow, your triceps must relax — that’s reciprocal inhibition in action.

 

This neurological mechanism allows for:

  • Smooth joint movement

  • Efficient force production

  • Reduced risk of strain or compensation

 

Why it Matters for Athletes:

  • Enhances mobility: Activating one muscle can help “turn off” tightness or resistance in the opposing muscle — useful in mobility drills or during isometric holds.

  • Improves strength training technique: Proper engagement of agonist/antagonist muscle pairs leads to safer, more efficient lifting patterns.

  • Boosts movement quality and control: Promotes better balance between muscle groups and supports injury prevention.

  •  Reinforces the principle that mobility is strength. The deeper a muscle can contract within its range, the more effectively the nervous system facilitates relaxation of the opposing muscle — allowing for greater joint access, movement efficiency, and usable flexibility under control


Reciprocal inhibition teaches the body to coordinate opposing muscles, improving flexibility, control, and movement efficiency — essential for athletic performance and long-term joint health.​

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​Benefits of Mobility Training​

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Mobility training, when approached as a strength and control practice, offers key physical, neurological, and performance benefits:

 

Physical Benefits

  • Improved Range of Motion

  • Expand active, usable ranges to support cleaner mechanics, stronger movements, and better injury prevention.

  • Injury Resilience

  • Stronger connective tissue and more stable joints reduce risk of sprains, strains, and chronic overuse issues.

  • Enhanced Movement Efficiency

  • Eliminate compensation patterns and energy leaks by improving joint integrity and motor patterning.

  • Faster Recovery

  • Better tissue health and circulation promote quicker recovery between training, games, and practices.

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Neurological & Mental Benefits

  • Greater Body Awareness

  • Develop proprioception and inter-muscular coordination — the foundation of efficient, fluid

  • movement.

  • Improved Motor Control

  • Train the nervous system to activate and sequence the right muscles at the right time.

  • Confidence in Movement

  • Knowing you can access strength and control in every position leads to more assertive, fluid performance.

 

Performance Benefits

  • Sport-Specific Fluidity

  • Better mobility means sharper cuts, cleaner deceleration, smoother transitions, and stronger postural control during dynamic play.

  • Longevity & Sustainability

  • Athletes with strong mobility foundations stay healthier, more durable, and able to perform consistently across seasons and stages of development.

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Mobility is the foundation of healthy, high-performing movement — yet it’s one of the most neglected areas in athletic development. Most injuries don’t stem from lack of effort — they come from restrictions, poor mechanics, or inefficient movement patterns.

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When athletes train mobility with precision and purpose, they don’t just gain range — they gain control, confidence, and resilience. Whether you're dealing with tightness, recurring injuries, or simply want to improve how your body feels and performs, mobility training helps unlock your full potential.

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