Stretching for Cyclists

Downtown Vancouver

Everyone knows that stretching is an integral part of any biking routine – commuters, weekend cruisers and high-performance cyclists alike! After biking, your muscles are tired, which causes them to contract and shorten, causing limited range of motion in your mobility. Routine stretching returns your muscles to their pre-ride, relaxed state, restores your range of motion and helps you move quicker on your next bike ride!

But while stretching should be an integral part of any exercise routine, it can often be confusing and overwhelming and as a result, is not made a priority. How do you know which muscles need to be stretched? Or how long should you hold each stretch for? When should you stretch and how often? The list of questions goes on and on. And to make matters more complicated, when stretching is done incorrectly, it can often cause more harm than good! ProStretch Canada at Electra Health has the perfect solution for you!

This is, by far, the quickest and most effective way to reap the benefits of stretching and enhance your performance on your bike. Our approach to stretching is unique: in a private 25-minute session, our ProStretch therapists, all of whom are registered kinesiologists, will actively stretch your body for you, restoring your range of motion and mobility.

What makes this type stretching so fantastic is that because someone is moving you through each stretch, you will get the deepest, most restorative stretch that you can get, easily beating out group or individual stretching. So no matter what your cycling level – ProStretch therapy is perfect for you.

Return to: Vancouver Stretch Therapy

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Downtown Vancouver ProStretch Therapy Clinic

Electra Health – 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC
Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm
604-685-4325 (HEAL) 

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What to expect in your session:

At your first session, you will meet with your ProStretch therapist and discuss your current exercise routine, any injuries that you might have, and any movement goals you may have. Before the session, you will also review any specific areas of tension that you have noticed.

Once your assessment has been complete, your therapist will give you a full body stretch, manually move your body through each stretch, making sure to spend time on areas that you have identified as particularly tense. Each stretch is held for anywhere from 30-60 seconds and gives you the deepest, most effective stretch you will ever receive.

After your session, your therapist will recommend a treatment plan for you. Your follow-up sessions will be based on identified areas of tension in your body. Because the benefits of stretching are felt through continuous, routine stretch sessions, your therapist will recommend anywhere from 1-2 sessions per week

As a kinesiologist, your ProStretch may also recommend other treatments to optimize your mobility and performance on the bike, such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic care and more. Because ProStretch Canada is part of Electra Health, you can access all your treatments under one roof!

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FAQs

What is the difference between stretch therapy and stretching on my own?

With ProStretch therapy, your body is put through a series of stretches by a therapist. This means that they hold your body in a position that inhibits a stretch. This means that you can focus solely on breathing during the session, which supports a deeper stretch.

Stretching on your own (or in a yoga class) does not provide the level of depth that you get when someone is supporting your body in a specific position.

How should I warm up before cycling

Remember, your stretch is NOT a warm-up. A warm-up should consist of 10-15 minutes of cycling at an easy pace with a movement towards reaching your race-pace by the end of your warm-up.

How often should I stretch?

Stretching is most effective when you are doing it consistently. Depending on your exercise intensity and frequency, our therapists recommend a stretch therapy session anywhere from 2x per week to bi-weekly.

What muscles get tight from cycling?

Generally speaking, the quadriceps, hip flexors, hamstrings and hip rotators are working the hardest and because of this, are prone to tightness. Because all your muscles work together, tightness and strain in one spot can create tension and tightness in another spot. As such, your lower back can also get tight.

And never neglect the work that your upper body does during your bike rides, as well. Stiff shoulders, upper back, neck and arms are all a possibility from a tough ride!

What are the benefits of stretching for cyclists?

The benefits of stretching for cyclists are vast; stretching can help cyclists:

• restore and improve range of motion
• prevent cramping
• prevent overtraining
• reduce day-to-day discomfort after long rides
• promote a quicker recovery

Is stretch therapy covered under insurance?

Yes! Our ProStretch therapists are all registered kinesiologists. If you have extended health benefits and coverage for kinesiology, this treatment is covered. We do always recommend that you follow up with your healthcare provider to confirm your coverage.

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Resources

Our goal at ProStretch Canada and Electra Health has always been to foster a community of health and wellness. Here are some cycling resources for you:

ProStretch Canada is the most effective and most efficient stretch therapy for cyclers on the market. In a 25-minute, private session, you will be assessed and put through a series of stretches by a registered kinesiologist. As your ProStretch therapist actively moves you through these stretches, you can focus solely on your breath, ensuring that you get the deepest and most effective stretch. Whether you’re looking to conquer your longest ride, hit a PB on your next hill climb, or just simply feel good as we head into the biking season, ProStretch therapy is an essential part of your cycling routine.

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Downtown Vancouver ProStretch Therapy Clinic

604-685-4325 (HEAL)

Electra Health location – 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm

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