The Benefits of Massage for Weight Training

Taken from an article on breakingmuscle.com by Dresdin Archibald

Soft tissue therapy and massage is an important part of the recovery process of any training programme for anyone that does weight training and wants to get the most out of their training.  Massage speeds up recovery and helps in the prevention of injuries, especially those that might happen through overuse and overload. And it is of course important in the rehabilitation process when an injury does occur.

Dresdin states 5 main benefits of massage for weight lifters.

Benefit 1: Flexibility

For a lifter to achieve optimal performance they must have a high degree of flexibility.. Massage therapy stretches the muscle fibres so flexibility is promoted and maintained. High volume or intensity training cycles will usually lead to increased muscle tension.  If this happens there will be a reduction in overall flexibility and an increased chance of injury.  When muscles do become overly tight it will not be to the same extent all over the body. Tightness in one muscles group will most likely be balanced off with equal tightness in the opposing muscles. If not dealt with this tightness will lead to a permanent imbalance in the muscles.

Beneft 2: Circulation

Heavy training causes microscopic damage to the muscle and facial tissue. By increasing circulation and blood flow with massage the muscles receive the nourishment they need to repair. Increased blood and lymphatic circulation helps with waste removal, as well as food and oxygen supply  which all leads to a faster recovery and an earlier return to effective training.

Benefit 3: Pain Reduction

Massage alleviates muscular pain that has been caused by overwork or injury. If an athlete is in pain this can affect their mental ability to be able to lift as much as they usually do. The less pain that is felt the better. Pain is a sign that something is wrong and it needs to be dealt with.

Benefi 4: Sleep Improvement

Sleep is a big part of the recovery process. Massage therapy helps to promote improved sleep patterns. It can improve the quantity and the quality of sleep. An athlete that sleeps better will perform better and recover quicker.

Benefit 5: Decreased Tension

Massage therapy increases muscle relaxation levels. Many lifters exhibit that hard driving type-A personality where relaxing is difficult. In those situations stress can get the better of the lifter. With regular massage, such a lifter can learn to relax body and mind and perhaps improve his performances.

By having a deep tissue massage at least once per week, lifters can keep their muscles healthy, improve their flexibility, maintain a state of relaxation and thus have a better sleep cycle. It is worth considering if you are having problems recovering from workouts. Massage therapy can also help to identify potential trouble spots before they progress into something more serious. A skilled touch may reveal those soft tissue micro-injuries. So, treat yourself to a massage and your body and your performance may thank you for it.