63: Dr. Jen Fraboni: Mobility Will Change Your Life + Easy Tips to Add It Into Your Daily Routine
Why Mobility Work Is the Missing Piece in Your Fitness Routine (And How to Start Today)
Discover why mobility training is essential for longevity with Dr. Jen Fraboni. Learn easy daily mobility exercises to reduce pain, improve performance, and feel younger.
Feel like you're moving through life in a body that's older than your actual age? Wake up stiff, struggle with everyday movements, or deal with nagging aches that just won't quit? You're not alone, and according to internationally-renowned physical therapist Dr. Jen Fraboni, there's one game-changing solution you're probably overlooking: mobility training.
In episode 63 of the Broads podcast, Tara sat down with Dr. Jen to unpack why mobility isn't just another fitness buzzword, it's an absolute non-negotiable for anyone who wants to live a long, healthy, and pain-free life. And the best part? You don't need hours of free time or fancy equipment to reap the benefits.
What Even Is Mobility (And Why Should You Care)?
Let's get one thing straight: mobility isn't the same as flexibility. While flexibility refers to passive range of motion, active mobility involves strength and control throughout that full range. Think of it this way, being able to touch your toes while sitting is flexibility. Being able to control your body through a full squat with proper form? That's mobility.
Dr. Jen, who specializes in helping people overcome chronic pain and maximize physical performance through her platform Jen Health, explains that mobility is the foundation for everything else in your fitness journey. Without it, you're essentially building a house on a shaky foundation, eventually, something's going to give.
The reality check? Our collective alignment pandemic from sitting in chairs, couches, and cars all day is wreaking havoc on our bodies. We're designed to move in multiple planes of motion, squat deep, reach overhead, and rotate, but modern life has us locked in the same positions for hours on end.
The Myths Holding You Back from Better Movement
During the episode, Dr. Jen debunked some of the most common mobility myths that keep people from prioritizing this crucial aspect of fitness:
Myth #1: "I'm just not flexible, so mobility work won't help me." Wrong. Mobility is trainable, and consistency beats genetics every time. You don't need to be naturally flexible to improve your range of motion and movement quality.
Myth #2: "I don't have time for mobility work." Dr. Jen shared practical tips for incorporating mobility into your existing routine, no extra time required. (More on this in a minute.)
Myth #3: "Stretching before my workout is enough." Static stretching and mobility training serve different purposes. True mobility work involves strengthening muscles through their full range of motion, not just passively lengthening them.
The Breathing-Mobility Connection You Never Knew About
Here's where things get interesting: Dr. Jen revealed how your breath directly impacts both your mobility and stress levels. When you're stressed, your breathing becomes shallow and your nervous system stays in fight-or-flight mode, which literally limits your body's ability to access its full range of motion.
By incorporating intentional breathing patterns into your mobility work, you're hitting two birds with one stone: reducing stress while improving movement quality. It's the kind of efficiency us Broads can get behind.
Training Full Range of Motion for Longevity
One of the most powerful takeaways from the episode? The concept of training through full range of motion for longevity. Dr. Jen emphasized that if you don't regularly take your joints through their complete range of motion, you'll eventually lose access to those positions.
Can't remember the last time you sat in a deep squat? Your body adapts to what you do most often, and if that's sitting in a chair, standing, and lying down, those are the only positions your body will be optimized for. The use-it-or-lose-it principle is real, and it applies to your joints just as much as your muscles.
The good news? You can start reclaiming lost mobility at any age. Dr. Jen shared specific exercises to improve joint health, focusing on taking each joint through its full available range while building strength and control in those end ranges.
How to Incorporate Mobility Into Your Daily Routine (Without Adding Another Thing to Your To-Do List)
Let's be real, we're all maxed out. The last thing you need is another 30-minute workout to squeeze into your day. Dr. Jen gets it, which is why she shared actionable strategies for working mobility into what you're already doing:
Stack it with existing habits: Do hip circles while brushing your teeth, practice deep squats while watching TV, or add thoracic rotations during your morning coffee routine.
Micro-sessions throughout the day: Three 5-minute mobility sessions spread throughout your day are just as effective (and often more sustainable) than one 15-minute block.
Make it movement snacks: Set a timer to remind yourself to move every hour. Even 60 seconds of intentional movement adds up over the course of a day.
Integrate it into your warm-up: If you're already working out, your warm-up is prime real estate for mobility work. Focus on the joints and movement patterns you'll be using in that workout.
The Bottom Line: Your Future Self Will Thank You
Mobility work isn't sexy. It won't give you abs, add pounds to your deadlift, or burn a ton of calories. But here's what it will do: help you move pain-free, maintain independence as you age, prevent injuries, and actually perform better in all your other training.
Dr. Jen's programs aren't about losing weight or looking a certain way, they're about learning about your body, optimizing movement patterns, and feeling something different through exercise and movement. And honestly? That's the kind of sustainable, empowering approach to fitness we need more of.
Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, feeling older than you should, or just want to move better for the long haul, mobility training deserves a spot in your routine. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how your body responds when you finally give it what it's been asking for.
Take Action
Ready to prioritize your mobility? Start with just one small change this week. Pick one mobility exercise from Dr. Jen's Instagram @docjenfit and commit to doing it daily for seven days. Track how you feel and notice the difference.
What's your biggest mobility challenge right now? And if you haven't already, try Broads for 7 days free and experience how proper programming can transform the way you move and feel in your body.
