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Segmental Rolling for Mobility

Segmental rolling is both a simple test of how well your kinetic chain is working together as well as an effective way to reset and develop kinetic chain function.

Rolling is one of the first mobility things we do as babies, an ability which we need to develop if we're going to be able to walk, run, throw and all the other amazing things that we can do with or bodies.

Bizarrely, a lot of people I test with rolling find it incredibly hard to do without cheating by pressing into the floor with hands or feet that aren't meant to be involved or employing significant momentum to aid the movement.

The key points for effective segmental rolling...

Upper body

  • Lead with the head, not the hand
  • Do not press into the floor with the feet or the other hand
  • Slow down and don't rely on momentum

Lower body

  • Lead only with the leg
  • Do not press into the floor with the other foot or your hands
  • Slow down and don't rely on momentum

I use this most days, especially if I'm sore or stiff from heavy lifting, cycling or running.


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Will Newton


In over twenty years of coaching, I have coached everyone from absolute beginners to world champions.
My interest in getting the best results for people who train for health and fitness or the love of sport, rather than as professionals, drives me to find the most effective ways to get results.
My mission is simple: Be in better shape at 70 than most people are at 20, and to help you do the same.