It’s natural to wonder how much flexibility and strength can be gained when starting Essentrics. As with any goal, it’s good to have realistic gains. Let’s start with flexibility. If you’ve never been able to touch your toes, you still won’t. You can, however, dramatically improve your range of motion. The average person can gain 60-75% of their flexibility back. That is a life-changing percentage!
Flexibility
Flexibility is determined by an individual’s muscle to tendon ratio. The longer your muscle, the greater your degree of potential flexibility. Some of this is genetically determined, some of it is lifestyle related. Regardless, everyone experiences a significant to astonishing degree of increased flexibility.
If, after a few months, you’re still experiencing stiffness, pain, or lack of flexibility, chances are it’s not your muscles or tendons. It’s likely your connective tissue. Luckily, this is where Essentrics shines.
One clue that the “issue is in the tissue” is that typical pain relief measures like ice, heat and ibuprofen won’t work. Loosening stuck fascia is the only solution and the slow, circular movement of Essentrics is suited to do just that.
Strength
Unlike flexibility, which is partially determined by our genetic profile, we can influence and alter the shape of our muscles. We can make them strong and lean, or weak and flabby – the choice is ours.
The human body doesn’t come with extra parts. Everything has a function and it’s our job to maintain it. Unexercised muscles are at risk for atrophy, which leads to poor posture, low energy and compressed joints. Staying active is essential through all stages of life, but it becomes critical as we age.
However you decide to move your body, it should never hurt. Cast aside the belief of “no pain, no gain.” Movement should feel good while you’re doing it and leave you feeling energized when it’s done. Ideally, it should be something you want to do each day.
Strength + Flexibility = Power
In order to slow down and reverse the aging process, we need to have flexible and strong muscles. This requires a combination of strength and flexibility exercises. When you work the body this way, expect to double your current level of power and endurance.
Either strengthening or stretching alone won’t do it. An equal combination of both dynamics is required to gain and maintain the large range of motion we need to keep us feeling young, relaxed, and comfortable in our bodies.
