Sports Massage. Pre or Post Workout?

Sports Massage is probably the most misunderstood massage service within the massage industry, especially for clients.

Lots of people associate sports massage & sport type work to mean that they have to be playing a sport, but this is not the case at all…and we should all just probably rename it to ‘Workout Massage’ or ‘HikingToday Massage’ …you get the idea. Sports Massage is actually a broadish term for Massage therapy that is supposed to aid in PRE, DURING & POST workout. Most of us probably don’t need some active massage between sets at the gym because you know, that’s reserved for olympians and the like. However even then, most people don’t know what’s best, a sports massage or massage in general, before they workout or after! I’m here to give you the pro’s and con’s of each.

In the world of sports massage, the goalposts change just a little bit. Your massage therapist is employing techniques of remedial or therapeutic massage but also fast paced tapotements & percussions (Yes like the instruments) to increase your circulation, obliterate adhesions & also restore & increase functional movement. Sounds pretty good right? The only caveat is that a sports massage is more likely to feel sore, tender or rushed than any other massage style or form. This is because it’s about getting things going as quickly as possible. It’s like condensing multitudes of deep work into that one session and something has to give somewhere and unfortunately that tends to be a level of discomfort.

If you can put up with some uncomfortable sensations and do value the sheer efficiency & practicality over the aesthetic & sensations…where do you put your newfound love of sports massage? Before or After a workout? The hip pain or lower back pain you have might annoy you before your workout…but afterwards if left undealt with it might just increase & exacerbate! Here’s my take on what’s going to be best as a general rule!

PRE WORKOUT:
Pros
You will be much less restricted for your lifts
You will feel invigorated
You will have more strength in your muscles
You will be able to endure your workout for longer
You will feel less fatigue afterwards

Cons
You might be wiped out after your massage, 50/50
You might feel tender before even working out
You might just want a big nap after your session

POST WORKOUT:
Pros
You can reward yourself for all of your hard work
You can thoroughly enjoy your post workout glow
You get to help out your muscles that have tightened up
Your workout specific adhesions will be worked on

Cons
Your initial tension & pain might have become worse during a workout
You can be more prone to injury working out with untreated tension
You might feel rushed afterwards hopping from the gym to your massage
You can feel workout hunger for a whole hour

It’s a small list but for the reasons listed above, I think a PRE workout massage is more beneficial than a POST because we are trying to A. Make your workout better & B. Help you feel less tension & pain which should ideally be dealt with before it becomes out of control. Some people prefer different and that’s okay. If you are unsure you can try both, there’s certainly no harm in it but you will likely find pre workout massages better for the body and post workout better for the mind.



Last time I looked there was something like 15 Gyms in Malaga alone.
For your next Malaga Massage, book in & get those workout aches & pains sorted out!