Massage benefits

Resistance Training + Remedial Massage

A common reason a lot of us go to see a massage therapist is to help reduce tension. When tight muscles are relaxed from massage, it has many benefits for your training. It can help to improve flexibility as the relaxed muscles are able to move more freely allowing the joints to experience a greater range of motion. As a result, muscle fibres are strengthened throughout the entire range of motion which makes the move more efficient and you will see and feel a difference in your muscles.

There are so many benefits of massage that people are not aware of. Receiving weekly, fortnightly or monthly massages keeps you in tune with each area of your body and can help to focus on specific muscles. This can then carry over into your workout sessions. An example of this is where you may usually concentrate on the up phase of the barbell during a bench press, your focus may shift to the contraction you are feeling in your pecs or your triceps supporting the movement. These small changes can have an effect on your workout and your results. When you are able to contract specific muscles your muscle tone will improve and your training is so much more efficient.

Massage increases muscle temperature allowing blood flow to the area, which helps repair muscle fibres faster and reduces discomfort, so can be a natural painkiller. The blood going away from the muscles helps to remove toxins such as lactic acid that build up when you strength train. The faster the lactic acid is removed from the area, the sooner muscle soreness will ease. Repairing muscles and experiencing less muscle soreness, enables you to workout more frequently and see results faster.

Written by Teisha Grounds, Pilates Instructor and Personal Trainer
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