The Hidden Truth About Flexibility: Why Touching Your Toes Doesn’t Matter
“The way we measure and think about flexibility is fundamentally flawed,” declares Michele Bond, M.S., whose research in the International Journal of Exercise Science has transformed our understanding of movement science. As a contributing author to “Fascia, The Tensional Network of the Human Body – 2nd Edition” and a Kinesiologist with over two decades of experience, Bond is challenging traditional notions of flexibility.
“People often feel like failures if they can’t do the splits or touch their toes,” Bond explains. “But these arbitrary measures of flexibility tell us very little about functional movement capacity.” Through her proprietary assessment system, The Kinesiogram™, she’s discovered that true flexibility is about optimal range of motion for individual body mechanics.
The fitness industry’s obsession with extreme flexibility has created unrealistic expectations. “Just because someone can contort themselves into impressive positions doesn’t mean they have healthy or functional movement patterns,” Bond shares. Her research into fascial tissue response shows that excessive flexibility without proper stability can actually compromise movement quality.
“What matters isn’t how far you can stretch, but whether you have the right balance of mobility and stability for your activities,” Bond emphasizes. “Some of the most functionally capable people I work with wouldn’t be considered traditionally ‘flexible.'”
A recent client experience perfectly illustrates this principle. Despite being able to touch well beyond their toes, they struggled with basic movement control and experienced frequent injuries. Through The Kinesiogram™ assessment, Bond identified that their extreme flexibility was actually contributing to joint instability and poor movement patterns.
“Flexibility isn’t a contest,” Bond states. “It’s about having the right amount of range of motion to move efficiently and safely.” Her research shows that optimal flexibility varies significantly between individuals based on their structure, activities, and movement history.
Through extensive clinical observation, Bond has discovered that many flexibility-related issues stem from misunderstanding what the body actually needs. Some people need more stability rather than more flexibility. Others need flexibility in specific areas while maintaining stiffness in others. Many need to relearn proper movement patterns rather than simply stretching more.
“The fascial system plays a crucial role in flexibility,” Bond reveals. “This connective tissue network needs to be conditioned appropriately – not just stretched mindlessly.” Her work demonstrates that proper fascial conditioning often yields better functional results than traditional stretching approaches.
Bond’s experience working with clients has shown that flexibility gains come most effectively through understanding individual movement needs. “When we focus on creating optimal movement patterns rather than achieving arbitrary flexibility goals, the body naturally develops the range of motion it needs,” she explains.
The implications of this research extend beyond just stretching. Bond’s work indicates that proper movement quality requires a sophisticated balance between mobility and stability. “Every body has its own unique requirements,” she notes. “What’s flexible enough for one person might be too much or too little for another.”
Through The Kinesiogram™ system, Bond assesses individual movement patterns to determine where mobility is needed and where stability should be maintained. “This personalized approach yields much better results than generic flexibility programs,” she shares.
This represents a significant shift from traditional flexibility training. Instead of pursuing maximum range of motion everywhere, Bond emphasizes developing appropriate mobility for individual needs and activities.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is helping people understand that they’re not ‘tight’ or ‘inflexible’ just because they can’t achieve certain positions,” Bond explains. “When they focus on functional movement quality instead of arbitrary flexibility measures, their whole relationship with movement improves.”
The impact of this understanding reaches beyond exercise. Bond’s research shows that appropriate mobility patterns can enhance daily function, reduce injury risk, and improve overall movement confidence.
Success with this approach requires letting go of preconceived notions about flexibility. “It’s not about comparing yourself to others or achieving specific poses,” Bond emphasizes. “It’s about developing the right balance of mobility and stability for your body and your life.”
Ready to discover what true functional flexibility means for your body? Visit www.michelebond.com and sign up for the mailing list to learn about proper movement patterns and receive notification about the upcoming online training community launching in early 2025. Transform your understanding of flexibility and develop movement freedom that matters.