I’m an avid semi-competitive-worker-outer. At almost 38 years old, I can say I’m the fittest over all I have ever been in my life and there are is still lots of room for improvement.
One of the things I see repeatedly at the gym is people constantly stretching, smashing, and rolling the chronically tight muscles. I’m not one to offer advice unless asked. That’s why I write these posts. You will come across it when you’re looking for information that pertains the post’s topic.
When someone does finally approach me, I make sure to get one point across.
The Body Never Does Stupid Stuff!
If you have a chronically tight muscle, it’s happening for a reason. If you have high blood pressure, it’s happening for a reason. If you have cancer, it’s happening for a reason. The reason isn’t because the body is stupid. It’s because the body has been trying to adapt to all the stupid stuff we put it through to keep us going. At some point, those silent adaptations becomes a screaming alarm to stop and slow down.
Tight muscles are no different.
Context is Everything
When you walk on an icy sidewalk, you instinctively activate muscles and ‘tighten’ them to make sure you walk more carefully and avoid falling. But have you ever walked on an icy sidewalk and when you’re inside, you stop and stretch out? Not at all.