Strength training tends to be villainized as a flexibility killer, making muscles tighter rather than looser. That’s wrong.
Mounting research shows that heavy lifting can significantly improve muscle flexibility, often with greater and longer-lasting results than those you’d get from static stretches. When weak, muscles often put up a guard to protect against injury, making them feel tight, says Scott Fournier, Tier 3+ trainer and master instructor at Yorkville in Toronto. Bolster them and your range of motion and mobility will increase.
In short, strength training isn’t a recipe for tightness. Incorporate these three strategies into your routine and your lifts will actually promote flexibility and mobility.