How long before I see results?

14 days of daily work moves measurable range for almost everyone. Long-standing restrictions (decades of desk work, old shoulder injuries) take 6–8 weeks.

Should I avoid overhead lifting until my mobility is fixed?

No — but scale. Light overhead work in the new range you have is part of the fix. What you avoid is heavy snatches and overhead squats that force you to compensate through the lower back.

What if one shoulder is way worse than the other?

Spend 2x the time on the restricted side until they balance. Asymmetric mobility is normal; ignored asymmetry is what causes injuries.

Are barbell overhead squats safe with limited mobility?

With a light load and a wide grip, yes — they're actually a fantastic mobility drill. Heavy overhead squats with poor mobility are a different story.

Overhead Mobility for CrossFit

Overhead Mobility for CrossFit from CrossFit BC. Five overhead mobility drills used at CrossFit BC in Vancouver. Fix shoulder, T-spine, and lat restrictions so you can press, snatch, and overhead squat.

CrossFit BC is a coaching gym in Olympic Village, Vancouver, at 278 East 1st Avenue. We run CrossFit, HYROX race prep, Olympic weightlifting, small-group and 1-on-1 coaching seven days a week.