The Hypermobile Spectrum
The Hypermobile Spectrum: Not All Bendy Is the Same
If you’ve worked with one hypermobile client, you’ve worked with… exactly one hypermobile client. Because when it comes to bendy bodies, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some people are just a little extra flexible, while others feel like their joints have minds of their own. And then there are those who can casually fold in half but struggle to hold a plank without shaking like a baby deer.
Welcome to the hypermobile spectrum—a concept every coach and trainer needs to understand.
Not Just "Double-Jointed"
Hypermobility isn’t just about extreme flexibility. It’s about how the connective tissue, nervous system, and muscles work together (or sometimes… don’t). While some people with hypermobility function just fine, others deal with frequent injuries, instability, pain, or fatigue. This is why two hypermobile clients can have totally different needs in the gym.
Let’s break it down:
The Hypermobile Spectrum: Where Does Your Client Fall?
1. “Just a Little Bendy”
These folks might score a few points on the Beighton scale (hello, elbow hyperextension), but they don’t experience major instability or pain. They might not even know they’re hypermobile—they just think they’re naturally flexible.
2. The Super Flexy, Wobbly Wonder
These clients can move like human rubber bands but struggle with joint control. They might experience frequent tweaks, mild dislocations, or general “looseness.” Stability work is essential, but traditional “tighten up your core” cues won’t cut it.
3. The Fragile Powerhouse
These clients have hypermobility plus pain, chronic injuries, or conditions like Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). They might be strong and struggling, powerful and constantly inflamed.
Why This Matters for Trainers & Coaches
Not all hypermobile clients need the same training. What works for one person could wreck another. That’s why it’s critical to understand where they fall on the spectrum and adjust programming accordingly.
Some need stability before strength
Some need more load, less stretch
Some need nervous system regulation before anything else
One thing they all need? A coach who understands how to help them build confident, strong, and stable movement.
Train Smarter, Not Stretchier
The old-school approach of “just strengthen the core” or “just stretch less” doesn’t cut it. Hypermobile bodies are different—and they need a training approach that reflects that.
That’s why we created Born Bendy—to give fitness pros the tools to train bendy bodies with confidence, not confusion. Ready to learn more? Stay tuned for our upcoming course, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about training on the hypermobile spectrum.
Until then, keep training strong, stable, and bendy.
