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Try it as a warmup or a cooldown.

You know the saying, “move it or lose it?” It turns out this bossy phrase is the slogan of mobility (seriously!). It may seem basic, but better mobility and incorporating mobility workouts into your routine may be the secret sauce for improving your overall health and fitness.

Simply put, mobility is the ability to move your body freely and easily, says certified physical therapist Amy Hutson, DPT, of SSM Health Physical Therapy. “Without mobility, we can be limited with our performance in day to day activities,” says Hutson. So, not only does it affect the ability to engage in essential things like getting dressed and taking a shower, but how much range your joints have also impacts recreational activities like hiking, swimming, or dancing.

Mobility is not the same as flexibility or stability, FYI. The three are related, and you can't excel at one if you're neglecting the others. But it's important to understand the differences.

Meet the experts: India McPeak, CSCS, is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, former collegiate gymnast, and currently working on her masters in sports and exercise nutrition. Amy Hutson, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist at SSM Health Physical Therapy, where she focuses on manual therapy, women’s health, and more.

Flexibility means the body can achieve a certain position, says certified strength and conditioning specialist India McPeak. Think of flexibility as a passive range of motion, like lengthening your muscles in a static stretch. Stability, on the other hand, is the ability to maintain a desired position or movement, explains McPeak. Think of stability like holding a plank steady, maintaining a hip bridge, or balancing on one foot.

Now that you know mobility is clutch, here's how to measure yours, a complete workout to boost mobility, and all the benefits you'll gain according to trainers.

Even if you feel like you've lost your mobility and your joints are anything but smooth, you can make a difference. Mobility training can be done any time, but McPeak suggests completing this 10 move routine as a pre-workout warmup to prep your body for conditioning. Alternatively, you can use it as a cooldown after a tough training sesh to reduce muscle soreness and speed up recovery.

And remember, consistency is key. “The more frequently you practice mobility, the more improvements you’ll see,” says McPeak. As little as five to ten minutes a day will help you progress, she explains. Whether you complete the entire routine at once or break up different moves throughout the day, making time for mobility is well worth it.

So, if you’re a mobility newbie or looking to further your progress, try out these 10 exercises for a complete routine, provided by McPeak.

Instructions: Complete the full mobility circuit 2-3 times.

While it's not as easy to quantify mobility as stats like running pace, you can assess your progress and check in with your body regularly to monitor developments with or without a pro. Measuring your mobility can highlight areas that are *chef's kiss* and where you may need some extra help.