Tag: foam rolling

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Working on Your Flexibility 

In my previous post, I explained how being flexible was beneficial for numerous reasons. It helps prevent injuries and lessen pain while boosting performance (whether it is athletic performance or simple everyday activities that can become challenging as we get older). Working on your flexibility also helps with correcting your posture, balance, and mobility, all leading to better performance.

In this post, I am going to describe the three main flexibility techniques that lessen tension in muscles. If you are feeling any pain when stretching or if you are unsure about where to start, double-check with your personal physician.

Static Stretching

Static stretching is simply holding muscles in their maximal lengthened position for about 20 seconds or three deep breaths. You want to feel the stretch but no pain. An example would be a basic hamstring stretch.

Dynamic Stretching

Dynamic stretching is a way of stretching muscles with movements of the limbs and joints. An example would be performing walking lunges.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

PNF consists of contracting a given muscle for a few seconds in an already fully lengthened position. The aid of a training partner or therapist is generally needed for PNF. An example would be someone (lying on the back) raising a leg straight up to fully stretch the hamstrings (without any pain) and then contract them (by slightly lowering the leg) while the therapist resists the movement and assists the stretch. This contract-relax pattern helps prime the nervous system and allows muscles to contract at a longer range of motion.

On a Final Note

It is now usually recommended to do dynamic stretches as part of your warm-up routine and to save the static stretches for after the workout as the latter can temporarily weaken muscles. Foam rolling can be part of your recovery routine and also be used before workouts to enhance blood flow, loosen up muscles and joints, and up-regulate the nervous system.

Until next time!

Reference

Levy, Jillian. “The Surprising Benefits of Flexibility.” Dr. Axe, 27 Nov. 2021, draxe.com/fitness/benefits-of-flexibility/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2022.

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Stretches and Flexibility Exercises

Stretching (and foam rolling), along with other flexibility activities like yoga, Pilates, and tai chi, are more than simple low-impact exercises. They are powerful tools helping to prevent injuries and lessen pain. They also have a direct impact on our posture, balance, mobility, and performance (whether it is athletic performance or simple everyday activities that can become challenging as we get older).

The Advantages of Being Flexible

Being flexible means that we are able to lengthen one or more joints and move through a bigger range of motion without feeling any pain or experiencing limitations. Flexibility is beneficial for numerous reasons:

  • Flexibility can aid with preventing injuries caused by tightness: By lessening tension in muscles and making them more supple, flexibility lowers the risk of stressing neighboring joints. Being flexible minimizes imbalances and muscular compensations that may lead to strains, pulls, and tears.
  • Increased range of motion boosts performance: A better range of motion in areas like the hips and knees, for instance, enhances our workouts because it helps us sink deeper into the exercises and possibly train longer at higher intensities. As mentioned above, any straining or discomfort will most likely be minimized when flexibility is optimal.
  • Improved mobility helps a great deal in everyday activities: Bending down to tie a shoe or picking up something off the floor may not always be smooth and easy. As we get older, it becomes evident that staying flexible (and agile) helps lessen the risks for poor balance, falls, etc. This maintained mobility gives a better quality of life in the later years.
  • Flexibility aids with correcting posture: Stretches and other flexibility exercises can help better our overall posture and mobility. These can help lessen slouching and pain when people sit for too long, for instance. Stretching and/or foam rolling after exercising is also highly recommended for a more targeted recovery.

On a Final Note

Last weekend, I attended a Pilates class for the first time. I thought I would give it a try for the new year. So along with some yoga poses and tai chi exercises that I do regularly, I now can include some Pilates exercises too.

What do you feel like trying this new year? 

Happy 2022!!

Reference

Levy, Jillian. “The Surprising Benefits of Flexibility.” Dr. Axe, 27 Nov. 2021, draxe.com/fitness/benefits-of-flexibility/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2022.

You can also find me on Instagram.

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Why Foam Rolling

When it comes to working on improving your flexibility and mobility, there are a plethora of options to try: pilates, yoga, tai chi, gymnastics, dancing, and dynamic rolling/stretching/therapy work (as mentioned in The Primal Blueprint Fitness Pyramid post). Having a foam roller handy is helpful in order to massage muscles and break up knots, those tender spots in your muscles. It has a restorative effect on the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds the bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. Foam rolling helps increase blood flow, which means more oxygen and nutrients delivered to the tissues, along with “waste removal.” As stated in How to Be Well, body alignment expert Lauren Roxburgh “calls foam rolling an essential self-care tool in a world where we are ‘overworked, overstressed, overfed, and overstimulated.’”

When to Foam Roll

Just five to ten minutes at a time is fine. It can be in the morning as part of your morning routine. It can also be before a workout, after exercising, and/or in the evening.

Before a workout, you would foam roll at a fast/rapid rate, targeting a light to moderate depth. This gets your muscles ready to work hard and it up-regulates the nervous system.

After a workout, you should foam roll at a slow rate, targeting a moderate to deep depth. This is a nice way to recover and calm the nervous system.

In Summary

Foam rolling can become part of your life as an easy and affordable option for better health and wellness. You don’t have to feel any pain anywhere to foam roll. It can just be another enjoyable way to relax and unwind from each day’s ups and downs.

Until next time!

References

Goodman, Eric, et al. Foundation : Redefine Your Core, Conquer Back Pain, and Move with Confidence. New York, Ny, Rodale, 2011, pp. 226–29.

Lipman, Frank M D. How to Be Well: The 6 Keys to a Happy and Healthy Life. Houghton Mifflin, 2019, pp. 137-39.

You can also find me on Instagram.