Are you looking to take your wellness regimen to the next level? Do you struggle to recover after tough workouts? Are you seeking ways to improve not just your physical health but your emotional and mental well-being?
When combined, massage therapy, stretching, and fitness do tremendous things for our overall health and wellness ‒ no matter your personal needs and goals.
So, what are the benefits of combining massage therapy and fitness?
Here at Hand in Health, the majority of our massage therapists are dually certified Fitness Professionals with concentrations in personal training and sports nutrition. We’re here to break down everything you need to know about massage therapy and fitness, and get you started on your journey to improved health and wellness.
If you’re located in Central New York and are interested in personal training services, we invite you to book a no-charge fitness consultation with a dual certified Massage Therapy and Fitness Professional. You can also book a massage or a one-on-one personal training session at our Syracuse, NY clinic.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the powers of massage therapy and fitness and how to best combine them!
How Often Should You Work Out?
From promoting a healthy heart and weight to improving sleep, muscle stiffness, and mood, exercise has no shortage of physical and mental benefits.
The CDC recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise and muscle-strengthening activities each week for adults. In essence, the more active you are, the healthier your life will be.
Of course, short-term fatigue and soreness are common after exercise, and it’s important to embrace these side effects as part of your fitness journey. But when overuse injuries occur, or sore muscles, exercise fatigue, and heavy limbs become painful or long-term, massage therapy and stretching can help.
What Are the Benefits of Combining Massage Therapy & Fitness?
Both stretching and massage therapy increase blood flow to the muscles. Combined with regular fitness, they can help you recover between workouts and stay consistent.
That’s not all. Massage therapy and stretching are strikingly similar in their abilities to ease muscle soreness and improve flexibility and range of motion, as well.
Massage therapy targets deep muscle tension that can potentially interfere with your workouts.
In short, the better your flexibility and range of motion, the more you can get out of your fitness sessions ‒ and massage therapy can enhance this. Not to mention, massage therapy is also great for decompressing the mind and body so you’re more present before and after your workouts.
What Are the Best Massages for Post-Workout Recovery?
All massages are beneficial for muscle recovery and injury prevention, but deep tissue and sports massages are highly recommended after physical activity, whether you’re a body-builder, a runner, a triathloner, or trying to lose weight and tone your body.
Both types of massage incorporate deep and intense massage strokes to target muscle tension and support recovery. Sports massages, in particular, can also include a variety of different stretches.
At Hand in Health, our Personal Trainers are also Corrective Exercise Specialists who integrate stretching and strengthening activities on the massage table. If you’d like to learn more about our Corrective Exercise services, contact our Syracuse, NY clinic.
Should You Get a Massage Before or After a Workout?
The benefits of combining massage therapy and fitness are plentiful. But is it better to have a massage before or after exercise?
There’s no right or wrong time to get a massage, and whether you have one before or after a workout entirely depends on your needs and goals!
If your goal is to stretch deeper, receiving a massage beforehand can warm your body up and prepare your muscles. Likewise, if you have an intense workout ahead of you, getting a massage before the session can loosen and prepare your body.
Our muscles produce lactic acid when we exercise intensely and our bodies are low in oxygen. They do this to convert glucose into energy. A massage after a week of workouts can help ease soreness and fatigue.
Are You Ready to Combine Massage Therapy & Fitness?
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of combining massage therapy and fitness, there’s no better place to start than at Hand in Health.
We offer a variety of massage services and one-on-one fitness training at our Syracuse, NY clinic. We also offer monthly massage memberships and fitness packages.
Book a massage appointment or a no-charge fitness consultation today!