Fighting sports involve not only muscle work to make you move fast but they also mean having the endurance to cope with blows and stress. Calisthenics and stretching exercises are important to keep toned muscles. Pretty much all sports require lots of stretching and warming up. There are many stretching routines out there that you could look up. They definitely help get those muscles in shape and ready for action.
Today, most athletes are turning into a better technique for stretching muscles: foam rolling. It is a very effective method not only for stretching but for keeping your muscles in shape. Let’s discuss some benefits of foam rolling.
- A good fighter has tender muscles that are alert at all times. Periodic foam rolling will help you get through the process of stretching your muscles in a rather fun way. All you need to do is roll over your principal muscles. These include the quads, calf muscles, your hips, your abs, back, shoulders, and arms.
- An increases blood flow throughout your body guarantees a healthier heart. With this, you get a better performance as your cardiovascular system will respond to your strenuous exercises. Foam rolling stimulates blood circulation effectively helping to the irrigation of the most important muscles.
- Stretched muscles mean a greater flexibility. Needless to say, this is very important at the moment of engaging in battle. Flexibility in the hips, arms, and legs is important for an optimal fighting performance.
- Foam rolling also provides a myofascial release. Due to hard working, the fascia might develop some painful bumps. These will definitively compromise your overall performance. In order to get rid of these “knots”, effectively foam roll over the trigger points. It is recommended for you to foam roll periodically in order to decrease the chances of developing knots in the future.
The effects of foam rolling are actually dramatic. You will feel the difference withing weeks of foam rolling. Athletes all around the world are using them due to their effectiveness and low cost. You can get help from accurate foam roller reviews for those that are using them. The prices can be as low as $15, making them pretty cost-effective. If you are a beginner, we recommend getting a basic one. As you progress, you will find a foam roller that better fits your needs.
For best results, foam roll before your training session or combat. This with the purpose of smoothing out and stretching your muscles. Stretched muscles with a foam roller are guaranteed to perform much better during a fight. After your training session or fight, it is also recommended for you to take some time for foam rolling. This will help your muscles recover from fatigue and avoid the formation of the aforementioned muscle knots.
Happy rolling!