“Looks Like a Dalmatian”: Michael Phelps’ Personal Trainer Once Revealed His Thoughts on the Swimmer’s Famous Cupping Practice

Injuries are common in sports; especially when playing competitive sports professionally, athletes go through intense training and routines, sometimes in recovery from blows received during the game. Legendary swimmer Michael Phelps is one of the many sportspersons who adopted a wide variety of healing practices to feel better. Back in his prime, the icon often sported purple spots on his back, which were a result of “cupping”.

Cupping has been the go-to healing technique for many athletes. While the ancient healing practice is hailed by many for its efficient results, Phelps’ personal trainer once revealed the effects of cupping and his thoughts on it.

Just a recovery modality, said Michael Phelps’ trainer

While many athletes swear by its benefits, including legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, his trainer had no particular feelings about it. Keenan Robinson, the swimmer’s personal trainer, once revealed that he didn’t feel that the method was special.

Cupping is an ancient healing practice where special ‘cups’ are placed on the skin. These cups gently suck on the skin, utilizing either heat or an air pump. The procedure results in purple spots, as it often ruptures the capillaries beneath the skin surface.

Phelps swore by the method, asking for a cupping session before every meeting. In fact, many sportspersons have adopted cupping as a method of recovery. However, Robinson had a fun way to describe it. Talking about Phelps’ back, he exclaimed, “Because this recovery modality shows blemishes on his skin, he walks around and looks like a Dalmatian.”

Read More: Michael Phelps Once Revealed Why NBA Legend Michael Jordan’s Jersey Number Will ‘Always Be Special’ for Him

So does cupping hold any scientific benefits to it? The answer is a bit complicated. Many argue that it has more of a placebo effect. The trainer acknowledged that the legendary swimmer did it to feel good.

However, he ensured that they had an educated approach to recovery methods like cupping. He stressed the importance of both psychological and physiological intents to recover. Therefore, the answer might differ from individual to individual. What are your thoughts about cupping?

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