Is it Possible to Train Your Fascia?
I was introduced to Charles by one of his skeleton athletes; we met at a World Cup event.
I spent weeks with Charles in his gym in Colorado. The experience was a deep dive into the art of training, mastering tempo, and decoding Charles’s unique methodology. We agreed and disagreed; we looked at the body from completely different points of view. I am about finesse, not force. Charles mistook the pain from my treatments as force; it was always finesse or physics. Our dialogues were a vibrant dance of dispute and concurrence, veering between clash and consensus. I was the expert in the fascia’s intricate global network, its vital role in natural strength enhancement, and the nuances of optimal healing and treatment strategies.
Charles was fascinated with the results I got.
I worked with him directly to help release his scar tissues from all his heart surgeries, and from that, I worked with his elite athletes. He introduced me to Dr. Leahy; Dr. Leahy said that what I do creates lasting change.
Dr. Leahy shared he did not invent the movements he teaches. Still, he created a system to release tendons and indirectly affect fascia that gets results for those with soft tissue issues—he also shared that the treatments that do that directly influence the fascia have a pivotal role in creating transformative change.
Is there a harmony between the realms of treatment and training?
The synthesis of training and therapeutic care, merging the essence of strength with precision, offers a wealth of insights.
To enhance sports performance by focusing on fascia health, it’s essential to integrate exercises that specifically target and improve the fascial network.
Fascia
Fascia, the connective tissue that wraps around muscles, organs, and bones, is pivotal in mobility, stability, and overall athletic performance.
When fascia becomes tight or damaged, it can lead to chronic pain, restricted mobility, and diminished sports performance.
A focused approach to improving the fascia’s ability to withstand tensile forces and boosting its regenerative capacity is recommended to mitigate these issues and enhance athletic capabilities.
This involves exercises that target the fascial network and contribute to a more resilient and functional musculoskeletal system.
Fascially, it Emphasizes the importance of specificity in training to enhance sports performance.
The specific movements and exercises highlight the significance of compound movements, eccentric loading, and variation in training to stimulate muscle growth, strength, and fascial adaptability.
Based on these principles, the following adapted exercises can be beneficial for athletes seeking to improve their fascial health:
- Eccentric Training: Incorporate exercises that emphasize the eccentric phase of the movement, where the muscle lengthens under tension. This could include slow-tempo squats or eccentric pull-ups, which enhance fascial tension and resilience.
- Compound Movements: Focus on multi-joint exercises like deadlifts, squats, and bench presses. These movements engage multiple muscle groups and, consequently, the fascial connections between them, improving overall force transmission and athletic performance.
- Variation and Specificity: Implement variations in your training routine specific to your sport’s athletic demands. This could involve changing the angle, speed, or resistance of exercises to challenge the fascia and muscles in diverse ways, promoting adaptability and strength.
- Mobility Work: Include functional dynamic stretching and mobility exercises that promote fascial glide and flexibility. Movements like dynamic leg swings or arm circles can enhance the range of motion and reduce the risk of fascia-related injuries.
- Treatment and Training Facially Movements are not Symmetrical—It is best to do this in the off-season, as the brain integrates the work, and the foundation ( muscles and tendons) are weak.
By incorporating these adapted strategies into a training program, athletes can significantly improve their fascial health, leading to enhanced mobility, stability, and overall sports performance.
Starting with lighter loads, gradually increasing intensity, and ensuring adequate hydration are crucial steps to avoid overloading the fascia and promoting optimal function.
Adapting your training to include these fascia-focused exercises and principles can be a game-changer for athletes looking to elevate their performance and maintain a pain-free, highly functional musculoskeletal system.
I learned a lot from Charles; he introduced me to lifelong friends and colleagues such as Preston Greene, Chad Ikei, and Dr. Eric Serrano. I continue to learn by mostly listening and watching. My specialty is movement, pain management, mental health, the brain, and how to fix things.
All are based on Fascia, the most critical structure in the body, in my opinion.