Physical Therapist Foam Roller Exercises Great For Overall Fitness


by Dave Tropeano - Date: 2007-01-25 - Word Count: 364 Share This!

Physical Therapists focus less on exercise routines and more on the framework of the body and restoring functional movement and health. Foam roller exercises are becoming a staple of physical therapy and are rapidly making their way into the elite training programs of professional athletes and coaches. These 'regeneration' exercises are just as valuable for the casual exercises as they are for the professional football player.

Most fitness programs take an all-or-nothing approach. When you're training, you train very hard. And when you aren't training, you do nothing. No matter the circumstances, you do all or you do nothing.

In truth, you need to combine quality work with quality rest to get the results you want. Active rest is a form of recovery or regeneration through lighter physical activities. Passive recovery includes massage and sitting in a hot tub or taking a cold plunge. Both elements are not only important, they are as important as working out.

Regeneration exercises require some inexpensive items: a foam roll and an 8 foot length of rope. The foam roll is usually 18 inches long and 5 inches in diameter. It is made of highly packed foam and can withstand heavy weight.

Foam roll exercises are like a deep tissue massage. It uses deep compression to help roll out the muscle spasms that develop over time. The compression causes the nerves to relax and also loosens muscle, getting the blood flowing, and helps the body recover. Think of your body as clay. The roll softens up the clay so you can remold it into something more pliable and functional.

You'll probably enjoy the foam roller exercises. Everyone likes a good massage. Still, there will be some uncomfortable moments, as there would be in a professional massage. Once you're past the first few weeks with the foam roller, it'll get considerably easier and more comfortable. The foam roll is a great barometer of the quality of your muscle and connective tissue. The better it feels, and the less it hurts, the higher the quality of your tissue.

You can do foam roller exercises every day of the week. At a minimum though, you want to dedicate two to three workouts a week to regeneration exercises.


Related Tags: fitness, exercise, foam roller, exercise foam roller, physical therapist

For more information on how to use a foam roller for exercise and myofascial release try visiting http://www.losefatgetfit.com, a website that specializes in fitness and includes information on how to lose belly fat.

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