Massage therapy is a great way to relax and unwind, but the health benefits span greater than just that. We know that living an active lifestyle takes a steady workout regimen, healthful diet, but what about mindful recovery? Exercise is important in anybody’s lifestyle, post-workout rehabilitation is just as essential. Even professional athletes employ their own massage therapists to reap the vast short and long term benefits of this treatment.

Here are some benefits you may not know about:

  1. Improved Flexibility: High volume or intensity training cycles and competition usually lead to increased muscle tension. Did you ever get done with a Major Muscles class with Andrea or a Team Training session with Krista and it hurts to tie your shoe? That’s what we’re talking about. For optimal performance in your next workout you have to work on increasing your flexibility. Unfortunately, a lack of flexibility can lead to increased chance of injury. But that doesn’t have to be the case! A post workout massage helps your muscles release this tension and helps them get back to their normal state.
    TIP: If you’re a runner, You should request a massage that specifically targets your hamstrings. Loosening your hamstring muscles will help you gain more endurance and speed as a runner.
  2. Increase Range of Motion: When your muscles tighten from exercise, this range in motion becomes lessened. Stretching or receiving a post workout body massage can be beneficial because they help unlock your muscles so your original range of motion is restored. This is important if you want to perform your exercises more efficiently.
    TIP: Do you like to swim? A greater range of motion in your ankles and shoulders can increase your force and speed in the water.

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    Urban Allure Spa

  3. Better Sleep: Sleep is an essential part of the recovery process. Not just for your workout routine, but for complete wellness. There’s no question that the ambiance of Urban Allure spa promotes a calm mind which in turn, promotes a better nights sleep. People who are chronically sleep-deprived have a reduced ability to perform cognitive tasks and an increased risk of workplace and automobile accidents. Don’t just relax your body, but your mind as well. Other physiological benefits include decreased depression, stress and anxiety.
  4. Pain Reduction: Massage alleviates muscular pain, whether caused by overwork or injury. If an athlete is in pain, he or she will not be able to approach maximum effort and therefore getting the most of of their workout. After just 30 minutes, blood flow is improved and therefore increased circulation to pain points in muscles with tension.
  5. When To Schedule a Massage: To get the maximum benefits from your massage, it is recommended that you schedule your massage within the next 72 hours. This is especially important for long runs, heavy lifting sessions and H.I.I.T workouts.

 

For the week of October 12-18, Urban Allure and LiveFit have teamed up together to bring you one week to try out the best of what the NAC has to offer.

  • Spa Week: Urban Allure is offering 50 minute spa services (Massage, Body Wrap, Facial) for $50.
  • LiveFIT Week: LiveFIT Personal Training is offering 50 minute PT for $50.
  • Book them both together and receive a FREE Team Training Session add on