{"id":45060,"date":"2018-03-07T10:00:04","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T15:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-well.ca\/?p=45060"},"modified":"2026-07-03T13:39:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T17:39:00","slug":"essentrics-workout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/well.ca\/blog\/essentrics-workout\/","title":{"rendered":"This Workout Lengthens & Strengthens Every Muscle in the Body"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]A well-lived life is about balance. Balance can improve wellness, happiness and satisfaction. \u00a0And of course, being imbalanced can throw everything into a tailspin. The same principles apply to your fitness routine. If you\u2019re only concentrating on either strength programs or flexibility programs, you need to introduce a workout to balance these fitness regimes.<\/p>\n

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This is where a program like Essentrics \u2013 with its mix of strengthening and flexibility \u2013 brings equilibrium to your routine and balances out your efforts at the gym helping to get you the best results from your workouts. In fact, Flare magazine<\/a> recently named Essentrics one of the best new fitness classes in Toronto.<\/p>\n

What is Essentrics?<\/h5>\n

Before dropping into what Essentrics actually is, let\u2019s talk about how<\/em> your muscles work:<\/p>\n

To create movement, the muscle and connective tissue around your joints contract. Imagine you\u2019re doing a bicep curl: To lift the weight, your bicep shortens in concentric motion but as the weight is lowered down, there\u2019s an eccentric contraction<\/em>, which is a lengthening in the bicep to control the weight and prevent a sudden drop, which could cause injury to your shoulder or elbow.<\/p>\n

Isolating that eccentric contraction<\/em>\u2013the lengthening that takes place while lower the weight\u2013is a powerful way to both strengthen and lengthen muscle. And that\u2019s what we focus on in an Essentrics class.<\/p>\n

Essentrics Class<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Essentrics is a full body stretching and strengthening program focused on fluid and dynamic movement, aimed at working the body from top to bottom in a lengthened position. It can balance tight, shortened muscles as well as strengthen loose muscles, providing an ideal combination for all bodies and abilities.<\/p>\n

Each class follows the same flow by first opening the body in standing dynamic and lengthening movements. While standing, we give extra toning and strengthening time to legs and arms by integrating our own body weight as resistance. Halfway through a routine, we use the floor or the barre to work the legs and abs. We end classes with deep and dynamic stretches which means we move while we stretch to unlock and release tension in muscle chains.<\/p>\n

Be prepared \u2013 using body weight vs. hand weights doesn’t mean these movements are not challenging. The length on the muscle gives a good amount of resistance to work with.<\/p>\n

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Josephine leading a class at Framewrk in Toronto (Image by Bettina Bogar)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Where Did Essentrics Come From?<\/h5>\n

The Essentrics technique is the brainchild of Miranda Esmonde White, a Montreal-based movement coach. Her inspiration for the Essentrics program came from ballet training, physiotherapy and Tai Chi. You can see and feel hints of dance and ballet, but will also recognize some fluid movements from Tai Chi and specific exercises that are physio-based in nature.<\/p>\n

The combination is a unique movement that stretches individual muscles as well as the complete muscle chains and surrounding fascia.<\/p>\n

What is Fascia?<\/h4>\n

Fascia is the connective tissue that binds the body together on the inside. It weaves through muscle and tissue and literally holds us together.<\/p>\n

When fascia gets stuck from a consistently tight area or stiff joint, it can create problems with mobility and range of motion, which are major setbacks for anyone hoping that fitness and exercise will improve their overall health. Fascia is also a major reason why women suffer from cellulite. Cellulite is fat trapped under fascia webbing which creates a honeycomb look on the body.<\/p>\n

In short, fascia is the body shaper so it needs to be strong, flexible and malleable.<\/p>\n

The Benefits of Essentrics<\/h5>\n