The Benefits of Massage for Muscle Recovery and Performance

Ever feel like you can barely move after an intense training session? Every muscle is aching and all you can think is "I NEED A MASSAGE". 

No doubt that massages leave us feeling amazing, but did you know they are also great for enhancing exercise performance and aiding in muscle recovery?

THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE BEFORE EXERCISE

Massaging your body before exercise is a great way to prepare your muscles for what lies ahead. Pre-workout massages should always be light, focused on warming the muscles up and stretching them out, not getting right in deep. 

One of the greatest benefits of a pre-workout massage is that it can help maximise your flexibility. In doing so, you're less likely to injure yourself as your body is able to move more freely.

This will also enhance your performance as your body is moving in a less rigid range of motion. 

THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER EXERCISE

Following up a hectic workout with a massage can help to reduce lactic-acid build up, which is what happens when there isn't enough oxygen in the muscles to convert glucose into energy. A build up of lactic acid aint' great, as it can cause cramping, muscle soreness, and muscle fatigue.

Massages help to reduce these adverse effects by promoting blood flow to the muscles, which in turn, delivers them more oxygen. In short, more oxygen in the muscles means less lactic-acid.

THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THE DAY AFTER EXERCISE

When you push you're body to its limits during exercise you sometimes pull up feeling sore the next day. This is due to teensy-tiny tears occurring to the muscle fibres, referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS.

Massage's help to relieve this pain the same way it helps to reduce lactic-acid build up. By helping to supply more oxygen to the muscles they will be able to generate greater amounts of energy to repair themselves, reducing any pain, stiffness, or inflammation. 

EASY WAYS TO MASSAGE YOUR MUSCLES

Getting a massage everyday would be elite, but let's be honest, for most of us it's a little unrealistic. For the days you can't indulge in a traditional massage why not try these tools below.

MASSAGE GUNS

These bad boys change the massage game. Offering various intensities and vibration speeds these machines can meet all your massage needs. Just like your traditional massage massage guns can help reduce muscle pain, stiffness, and inflammation, flushing out any nasty toxins causing your muscle discomfort. They can also be used to warm up your muscles before exercise, helping to increase your flexibility and range of motion. 

Whilst they may seem like a fairly expensive recovery tool our Trigger Point Massage Gun rolls in at $269, which is pennies when compared to several trips to the massage parlour.

FOAM ROLLER

Foam rollers offer a light form of massage that can be done pre or post workout. They are excellent for releasing any tension in the muscles, reducing pain or stiffness, or to help enhance your joint mobility and range of motion. 

Foam rollers come in all shapes and sizes to suit every type of athlete. Our recommended roller for the average joe is the Foam Roller Extreme 90cm. 

Hot Tip: Sometimes you may experience a little bit of pain during a foam rolling session. To ensure you don't injure yourself or cause your body any extra stress, place less pressure on the roller. 

For more information on the importance of recovery, click here. Otherwise, your always welcome to contact our friendly staff.