“The concept of muscles lengthening most effectively when contracted has major implications for how we should think about mobility. First, it shows us that contracting a muscle during a stretch is gentler and safer because it takes the tension off your tendons and ligaments. Second, it shows us that loaded stretching (where a weight is added to the stretch), full range of motion resistance training, and end range isometric contractions are more effective methods of lengthening muscles than passively yanking on joints with boring, static stretching routines.”