BooYah It’s Biking Season!

Whether you are just riding for the fun of it, or your racing this season massage therapy is great for injury prevention, enhanced performance and faster recovery.

Getting a massage before a race Pre-event massage warms up the muscles in a specific area, getting the blood circulation flowing freely to increase flexibility and mobility before an event. After a race Post event will help relieve muscle soreness and tightness and get you back on the bike sooner.

While it is the legs that endure the greatest burden, many muscle groups are involved on a long ride. Arm muscles are used for steering and braking, muscles in the upper back and neck keep your neck and spine facing forward so you maneuver the trail ahead, the glutes keep you balanced when moving the quads and hamstrings. The gastrocnemius help with the power up hills. A strong core helps align the ribs spine and pelvis.

An integral part of biking strength comes from the CORE. As nice as bulging quads and cut claves look the core is what will keep you strong when your other muscles start to fatigue. Ever notice how you’re hips start to move more over your saddle when your tired and you are in the middle of a big climb? What about your low back? Aching?  To be able to use your super sweet muscular legs efficiently you must have a strong solid core.

Here’s is some info from a post I wrote earlier called Low Back Pain:                                                  

How to exercise the core. The best way to learn to activate these muscles is to take Pilates. I have taken some private Pilates classes to learn how to properly contract the right muscles.  Once you learn how to contract these muscles they will aid in maintaining better posture and give the foundation for more efficient leg and arm movements. Good core stability will allow for more powerful and controled limb movements.

 Here is a link to core strengthening http://dianelee.ca/services/core.php   Seriously go to this link, this lady is the queen of core.