5 Top mobility classes at the Paseo Club

When you head out to the gym, a fitness class, or the courts, have you taken time to stretch and mobilize before and after?

If your answer is no, then you are not unlike most people. Making time to work out is hard enough. Making time to mobilize can simply feel impossible. 

But mobility is not something you can ignore — at least not for long. If you do not try to do some form of a mobility program, you will face consequences.

The Paseo Club is a social club established in the Santa Clarita Valley over twenty years ago. We strive to offer fitness, swimming, tennis, pickleball, and wellness programs that meet a range of needs and interests. 

In this article, we will discuss why mobility work so often gets ignored, why it is important, what parts of the body need it most, and five classes you can join at the Paseo Club that will help you mobilize. 

Why is mobility often an afterthought for so many people?

People often find time to train before work, during lunch break, or after work  — but before needing to pick up kids/make dinner/walk the dog, etc. That means people are always facing time caps for their window to exercise. When you struggle to get enough time to work out, it can make mobilizing feel extraneous.

Time constraints may be the primary reason people do not mobilize, but there are a few additional explanations. 

• You feel unmotivated or uninterested
• You never did mobility work, and you feel fine
• You do not know what mobility exercises to do
• You want to focus only on doing exercises that contribute to improving your physique 

Why is mobility just as important as exercise?

HIIT classes, weightlifting, running, cycling, and sports get all the attention and excitement. People are best at making time to exercise when they believe it will help them get stronger, more fit, or more toned. 

But without making time for mobility, you are increasing your risk of injury and not reaching your athletic potential.

What are common areas of the body people need to mobilize?

Although people have their own unique areas of their bodies to address, stiffness and rigidity tend to set into specific key areas of the body.

Hips, particularly hip flexors, become stiff from prolonged sitting, arthritis, bursitis, and weak glutes. 
Neck injuries from car accidents and looking down at smartphones, video games, and books cause problems in the neck area. 
Ankles become stiff with Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, calf tightness, and arthritis, which reduces the range of motion and increases the chance of repeat strains and sprains.
Shoulder injuries, especially of the rotator cuff, are common in athletes — tennis players, golfers, volleyball players, baseball players, and softball players.
Lower back issues arise from poor posture and slouching, weak core muscles, disc issues, and sciatica. 
Chest and back muscle imbalances cause shoulder tightness. Slouching for long periods also contributes to this issue. 

What are the benefits of mobility training?

Mobility is a crucial aspect of a well-rounded exercise program. Here is how a consistent mobility program can benefit you:

• Reduces pain
• Improves posture
• Reduces the risk of injury
• Improves exercise performance
• Increased lymphatic circulation and flow
• Increases your range of motion and flexibility
• Reduces joint stiffness and lubricates your joints 

Can mobility training improve athletic performance?

Mobility training improves athletic performance by improving agility, balance, and proprioception. These skills are essential for all sports that require quick directional changes or dynamic movements, such as tennis, soccer, basketball, boxing, sprints, and HIIT.

By increasing your range of motion, your muscles contract more effectively, which increases your power and strength. Mobility work enhances your coordination and improves movement patterns.

What are the top 5 classes at the Paseo Club for mobility?

The Paseo Club wants to make it easy for you to integrate mobility work into your weekly fitness routine. There is a designated mobilizing and stretching in the gym with mats, bards, blocks, and other props to assist you.

Choose from several mobility-focused group exercises or small group classes to receive guidance and learn how to mobilize.

1.Yoga 

The Paseo Club offers several yoga classes every week to help you breathe, release, and limber up. Yoga is a wonderful option for those who want to develop a mind-body practice. Yoga can help you not only gain more flexibility but also a greater sense of calm and peace. Novice yogis can sign up for beginner classes, and more experienced practitioners can jump into intermediate/advanced. Therapeutic and restorative classes are excellent choices for those who train hard and want to counterbalance their fitness routine with something more relaxing.  

2. Pilates Mat

Pilates Mat is a group exercise class for people of all fitness levels. This class requires only a yoga mat, and no experience is needed. Pilates combines breath with slow, controlled movements. This practice works all your joints and emphasizes your core body. This class is effective for improving posture and rehabbing injuries. 

3. TRX and Core 

TRX and Core is a dynamic hybrid program using a suspension training system with a special focus on your core. The loops and pulley system forces you to use your center to remain stable as you move. You work the major muscles and enhance all stabilizer muscles as well. This class is a challenging resistance training program that is low-impact and safe on your joints. It also implements many mobility movements to increase your range of motion and improve coordination, balance, and flexibility.  

4. Pilates Reformer

Pilates Reformer is an exercise program developed 100 years ago for injured soldiers and ballet dancers. It involves performing movements on a reformer machine, focusing on breath, core strength, alignment, and mobility. This class is a way to get strong and fit while mobilizing and developing flexibility. This class is low-impact and a great option for cross-training for tennis and pickleball players. There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes in Pilates Reformer. These classes are part of the small group series. Small group classes are capped at eight participants, so there is ample guidance for each student.

5. Tribe Functionally Fit 

Tribe Functionally Fit is a small group training class that teaches you how to move confidently through an array of functional movements. Workouts are led at the correct intensity to decrease body fat, increase energy levels, achieve cardiovascular fitness, and improve functional strength. Certified coaches instruct you in proper mobility techniques for warm-up and cooldown — skills you can take into your personal training sessions. This class is low-impact but moderate/high-intensity. 

Injury Prevention Workshops — BONUS 

Paseo Club certified trainer and assisted stretching practitioner, Daniel Perterson-Baliakoff will provide a series of injury prevention workshops in response to the demand of members who want to learn how to mobilize safely and effectively.

These pop-up classes are from 5:30-6 pm on Friday nights right before drop-in pickleball. Meet Daniel on Court 4 and learn how to warm up, do dynamic stretches, and other injury prevention techniques.  

This class is available to only ten members. Sign up today!

Make the most out of your time at the Paseo Club

The Paseo Club is your resource for a wide range of fitness and social activities. The club offers over 60 fitness classes each week, as well as small group and personal training. Court enthusiasts can participate in drop-in play, drills, leagues, and tournaments. 

We know families struggle with meeting everyone’s needs. You don’t need more complexity in your life, you need to simplify things. That is why the Paseo Club offers Kids Club play-based childcare and kids fitness and court programs. That way parents and children all have something fun to do at the same place and same time.

If you are not yet a member, this is a great time to join. Get your kids into their favorite after-school activities, and then choose your favorite ones. There is something for everyone. Joining the club takes minutes, but the fun is endless. Join today!