What You Need To Know About Pre And Post Workout Massages
After a strenuous exercise, massages usually feel amazing. To keep the blood flowing freely and avoid blood clots, those pulsing muscles require pressure and massaging. In addition to relieving tension that has accumulated in your muscles over time, a sports massage may also help you feel less stressed and more at peace.
The topic of whether it is better to have a massage before or after working out is one of the most often asked ones. Although it usually relies on your particular requirements, each choice has its advantages. It may not make sense to most individuals or even occur to them to consider getting a massage before exercising. However, that makes perfect sense in a way. Think of it as a form of stretching. Getting a massage first may prevent extreme soreness after working out.
A spokesperson for Total Shape, says:
“Sports massages don’t only have significant benefits for those who work their muscles regularly, but also for those who experience tension, stress or have injuries.
“Often people ask whether it is best to have a sports massage before or after a workout. There are benefits and drawback for both, such as boosting performance, encouraging recovery and increasing hypertrophy.
“Getting a massage before or after a workout is equally important, and ultimately it depends on the results you want to achieve.”
The benefits and drawbacks of getting a sports massage both before and after working out are discussed below by the fitness professionals at Total Shape.
Massage Advantages Before Working Out
1. Improves your emotional state
A pre-workout massage promotes the release of feel-good hormones by relieving tension and stress in the muscles.
Certain hormones and neurotransmitters, such as endorphine, dopamine, and serotonin, can support general health, concentration, and exercise motivation.
When working towards your physical goals, it’s critical to stay FOCUSED during your workouts. For that reason, it is strongly advised that folks consider getting a massage before hitting the weights.
2. Promotes strength and energy
Additionally, a pre-workout massage may aid improve blood flow throughout the body, which will give your muscles greater strength and vitality.
As a result, you may quickly reach your fitness objectives, lift larger weights, and exercise for longer periods of time.
This is also another great advantage since we can find it difficult to lift the weight amount we desire sometimes. For example, if you’re accustomed to lifting 30 pounds but would like to increase that to 50 pounds, a pre-workout massage can assist.
3. Promotes flexibility and mobility
Tight muscles surrounding the joints can be loosened with a pre-workout massage.
As a result, the joints can move more freely within their typical range. You can reduce your risk of injury during exercise by improving your mobility and flexibility.
Even when injuries are unintentional, try your best to avoid them. Nobody wants to suffer a serious injury that would prevent them from working out for some time. That is interfering with your progress.
Advantages Of A Massage After Exercise
1. Accelerate recovery after exercise
By improving blood circulation, post-workout massages can aid in the healing and recovery of your muscles from microtears brought on by intense exercise.
This implies that your tissue fibers receive oxygen and micronutrients rapidly, aiding in their repair and improving your health. This is similar to revitalizing a garden after a storm. Just as the rain provides essential nutrients to the soil, enabling plants to recover and thrive, a post-workout massage delivers oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, helping them heal and grow stronger.
2. Reduce pain in the muscles
Because mild pressure on muscles drives blood to other regions of the body, massage can help ease tired muscles after a hard workout.
More oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the region, accelerating the removal of stiffness and lowering inflammation. After working out, most of us soak our bodies or receive massages. Since soreness restricts movement to some extent, it is crucial to get a massage to make sure our mobility is not hindered.
3. Reduces stress in the body and mind
Similar to a pre-exercise massage, a post-workout massage may help you fully relax and reduce stress in both your body and mind.
After a long, difficult workout, this helps increase your feel-good hormone levels, which will make you feel much better.
Exercise and getting a massage are undoubtedly ways to reduce stress. It is also regarded as therapy. Adrenaline is released during exercise, which gives you a surge of energy and motivation. But when a masseuse’s warm touch caresses your muscles after all that action, your body is in a state of relaxation and tranquility.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
There can be certain drawbacks if a sports massage is given by an untrained therapist. Examples include headaches, aches in the muscles, and increased weariness.
A traditional massage therapist who isn’t trained in sports massage may pose a risk. They might apply a longer or more intense muscle kneading than necessary. This can leave your muscles feeling tired and painful.
According to research, excessive pressure during a massage has also been connected to headaches and a lack of motivation to exercise. Therefore, getting massages from professionals who are skilled in their field is important.
