Should You Have a Sports Massage Before or After Training?

Should You Have a Sports Massage Before or After Training?

If you train regularly, whether that’s gym, running, cycling, football, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or another sport, you’ve probably wondered when the best time is to have a sports massage.

Should you book a massage before training to loosen everything up? Or is it better to have one afterwards to help your body recover?

The answer depends on what you’re trying to achieve.

Sports massage after training

For most people, having a sports massage after training or on a recovery day is the more useful option.

Hard training can leave your muscles feeling tight, tired and sore. This is particularly noticeable 24–72 hours after unfamiliar or intense exercise, when delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can occur.

Research looking at sports massage has found that massage can provide a reduction in DOMS and a small improvement in flexibility. It isn't a magic solution that instantly repairs damaged tissue, but it can be a useful part of an overall recovery routine.

That makes sports massage particularly appealing if you're training frequently and want to keep your body feeling ready for the next session.

What about having a massage before exercise?

A massage before training can feel great, particularly if you have an area that feels restricted or tight.

However, a deep sports massage immediately before intense exercise isn't necessarily the best idea. Your body needs to be prepared for the activity you're about to perform, and a hard massage isn't a replacement for a proper warm-up.

If you're having treatment before training or competition, a lighter and more targeted approach may be more appropriate.

How often should you have a sports massage?

There isn't one perfect schedule.

Someone training once or twice a week may only want a massage occasionally, whereas someone training several times a week may benefit from incorporating treatment more regularly.

Your training load, sport, previous injuries, lifestyle and how your body responds to treatment should all be considered.

The important thing is that massage shouldn't be viewed as a replacement for the fundamentals of recovery:

• Good quality sleep

• Adequate nutrition

• Hydration

• Sensible training progression

• Strength and conditioning

• Appropriate rest

Think of sports massage as part of the bigger picture, rather than the entire recovery strategy.

Sports massage in Saffron Walden

If you're looking for sports massage in Saffron Walden, treatment can be useful whether you're a competitive athlete or simply someone who enjoys staying active.

You don't have to be an elite athlete to benefit from sports massage. Gym-goers, runners, cyclists, martial artists and people who are simply dealing with the physical demands of everyday life can all have different reasons for booking a treatment.

At Apex Recovery Room, the aim is to provide treatment based around the individual rather than simply giving everyone the same massage.

Whether you've had a hard week of training, you're feeling generally tight or you want to include regular massage as part of your recovery routine, treatment can be tailored around what you're doing and how you're feeling.

The bottom line

If you're choosing between a sports massage before or after training, after training or on a recovery day is generally the better starting point.

Sports massage isn't a shortcut to better performance, but research suggests it can help with muscle soreness and flexibility. Combined with sensible training, sleep, nutrition and recovery, it can be a useful addition to an active lifestyle.

Massage at a Yoga and Fitness event in Saffron walden

If you're looking for sports massage or massage in Saffron Walden, get in touch with Apex Recovery Room to discuss what type of treatment would be most appropriate for you.