Essential for athletes for muscle regeneration and building!

Unverzichtbar für Sportler zur Muskelregeneration und -aufbau!

What exactly is red light therapy?

Red light therapy is an innovative method that uses targeted red and near-infrared light to optimize cell function. Special devices emit light in a wavelength range between 600 and 850 nm, which penetrates deep into the skin and underlying tissue. There, it is absorbed by the mitochondria, the "energy centers" of your cells. These use the light to increase the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – your body's main energy source.

The result? Improved cell regeneration, accelerated healing, and sustained support for your entire body – from skin to muscles. The effect on muscle regeneration is particularly exciting, making it so interesting for athletes.

How red light therapy supports muscle regeneration

Red light therapy offers impressive benefits when it comes to accelerating muscle recovery. Here's an overview:

Reduction of inflammation

After intense training, micro-inflammation often occurs in the muscles. RLT has a targeted anti-inflammatory effect by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory messenger substances and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Studies show that this significantly speeds up the reduction of swelling and pain.

Faster regeneration

Thanks to improved blood circulation, red light delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the stressed muscles. This accelerates healing while simultaneously reducing oxidative stress. The result: your muscles recover faster and feel ready for exertion again.

Relief from sore muscles

Intense workouts often lead to delayed onset muscle soreness. Red light therapy can help reduce muscle fatigue and accelerate recovery after training, getting you back in shape faster for your next workout.

Red light therapy and its effect on muscle strength

Besides its effects on regeneration, red light therapy (RLT) also offers impressive benefits for increasing muscle strength and performance. Here's a closer look at the mechanisms:

Improved muscle performance

Red light therapy can significantly increase the efficiency of your muscles. Through the increased production of ATP, the primary energy source of cells, muscles can work more powerfully and with greater endurance. One study showed that when red light therapy is combined with regular exercise, muscle strength and thickness can increase by over 50% – a remarkable improvement for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Increased endurance through optimized energy

The additional energy from increased ATP production gives muscles the ability to handle longer and more intense training sessions. Studies show that RLT extends the time to exhaustion and improves overall athletic performance. Athletes who incorporate RLT into their routine report significantly increased endurance.

Promotion of protein synthesis

Another important aspect is the increase in protein synthesis in muscle cells. Stimulating the mitochondria not only provides more energy but also encourages the formation of new muscle proteins. This promotes muscle repair and growth, leading to increased muscle mass and strength in the long term.

An expert's perspective: The future of sports medicine

Professor Michael Hamblin, a leading researcher in the field of photobiomodulation (PBM), emphasizes how groundbreaking red light therapy (RLT) is for sports medicine: “The benefits of red light therapy allow both professional and recreational athletes to optimize their recovery after intensive training sessions while simultaneously improving their athletic performance. In the future, ‘laser doping’ will certainly be discussed in the sports world, as the positive effects of light irradiation can significantly improve training results.”


Red light therapy compared to ice bathing

Ice bathing is a popular method for muscle regeneration among athletes. But how does red light therapy compare? While ice bathing reduces inflammation through cold, red light therapy focuses on promoting healing processes and blood circulation. Studies show that red light is more effective in many cases, especially when it comes to long-term regeneration and performance enhancement.

Practical application tips for red light therapy

Red light therapy (RLT) is most effective when used before, during, and after training. With 3–5 sessions per week, each lasting 10–20 minutes, you can sustainably improve recovery and performance.

  • Before training: 8-10 minutes of irradiation of the target muscles promotes blood circulation, increases flexibility and prepares the muscles for stress.
  • During training: Red light can increase endurance by providing muscles with additional energy and supporting performance during intense sessions.
  • After training: A 10-20 minute application reduces inflammation, accelerates healing and helps to remove waste products from the muscles.

Focus on stressed muscle groups such as legs, back, or shoulders to achieve targeted results.


Red light combined with other treatments

For maximum results, you can combine red light therapy (RLT) with other methods, such as massage or foam rolling. These help to relax the muscles and further enhance the effects of the red light therapy.

Concluding remarks

Red light therapy offers a unique way to accelerate muscle regeneration and optimize your training performance. Whether as a supplement or the main component of your recovery routine, this method has the potential to take your fitness goals to the next level. Try it out and see the impressive effects for yourself!

In our shop you will find a wide variety of devices suitable for either targeted or holistic treatment. If you have any questions about the individual devices, please don't hesitate to contact us.


About the author

Yike Pan

Yike Pan is the founder of heilys®, an engineer, and a lighting researcher. After more than 20 years of experience in electrical engineering, architectural lighting, and research at Eindhoven University of Technology, he now dedicates himself to a clear mission: to bring healthy, bioactive light into everyday life – precisely, effectively, and scientifically sound.


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