Did you know that a massage strengthens your body, helps you heal faster, and increases your overall physical performance?  Whether you’re a weekend runner, enjoy taking an occasional exercise class or are a seasoned pro, a fitness massage is a vital part of your training routine to keep you performing at your best.

This brings us to Day 173 of 365 Things To Do In Pasadena and Pro Fitness Network.  Pro Fitness located next to Oba Sushi Izakaya on Glenarm in Pasadena offers Fitness, Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage.

I have first heard of Pro Fitness when my trainer at Women’s World recommended that I get a fitness massage to help me with some knee problems that I was experiencing.  I have been taking Group Power and Spinning classes and the repetitive motion of some of the exercises caused muscle strain.  In fact, even repetitive activities, such as sitting at a computer for long periods of time, or driving a lot can cause tight, sore muscles or even injury.

Muscles under strain, such as stress or exercise, can become “sticky”, causing pain and limiting their ability to perform optimally. Massage is one of the only techniques which will restore them to their proper performance. Regular massages will enhance and increase the effectiveness of your workout.

So… following the advice of Katina, my trainer, I scheduled an appointment with Vanessa, one of the  therapists at Pro Fitness Network in Pasadena.  I met with Vanessa about 15 minutes before my appointment and was very impressed with the way she tried to pinpoint the problem areas for us to work on.  She took her time to truly question and understand what was bothering me and focused on working on the specific areas in question.

I never really realized before that a massage is a great way to treat knee injuries because it can relax the surrounding muscles and tissues by taking the strain and pull off of the knee itself.  It also brings fresh blood and nutrients to the area which will facilitate healing.

Other Massage Benefits:

• It helps to remove waste products such as lactic acid and encourage the muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients which help them recover quicker. It will also increase blood flow to tissues, allowing for faster healing and improved performance.
• Stretching – Massage can stretch tissues that could not be stretched in the usual methods. Bundles of muscle fibers are stretched lengthwise as well as sideways. It can also help lengthen the sheath or fascia that surrounds the muscle, thereby releasing any tension or pressure build up and allowing the muscle to return to it’s optimal length, relieving pain and enhancing performance.
• Breaks down scar tissue – Scar tissue is the result of previous injuries or trauma and can effect muscles, tendons and ligaments. This can lead to inflexible tissues that are prone to injury and pain. Massage can break up the scar tissue, allowing more fluidity and less pain.
• Improves tissue elasticity – Hard training can make tissues hard and inelastic. Massage helps reverse this by stretching the tissues and lengthening the muscle thereby enhancing results of the workout.

Whether you are looking for a relaxing massage or a fitness massage in Pasadena, Pro Fitness owned by Carina Weston is definitely a place to check out.  Carina herself has suffered a devastating injury breaking her neck in 5 places.  It took her 2 years of intense physical therapy including rehab, weight training and massage therapy to fully recover.  She is committed to working with the best therapists in Pasadena to provide an overall well being to her clients.

Mention 365 Things To Do In Pasadena and you will receive a $10 discount on your first scheduled massage ($65 instead of the regular $75/hour).

Location:
Pro Fitness Network
183 East Glenarm
Pasadena, CA 91105
(626)799-7243

Visit 365 Things To Do In Pasadena®  for more fun activities in Pasadena California and surrounding neighborhoods.