The extreme sports massage

Calling all fitness freaks. It’s time to give your body a break from all that bootcamping and get those squat knots ironed out. Say hello to the extreme sports massage…

Aching calves? Clicking knees? Sore shoulders? If you’ve got any (or all) of the above then your body could be reacting to an overzealous workout regime. ‘Workouts are getting tougher than ever,’ says therapist Michael Earlington from Bliss Spa London who specialises in extreme sports massage. ‘People are training like athletes but without the proper nutrition or wind down period, leaving them with aching post-workout muscles and stiff, tired joints that can, if allowed to build up over a period of time, lead to more serious issues.’

The answer? A sports specific, therapeutic massage that will loosen up even the most tangled of muscles. Read on for more information…

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• 1 Sports massage - what is it?

  Put simply, it’s a style of massage that’s designed to get straight to the core of a recurring muscle pain or sports injury. 'While you workout lactic acid builds up around your joints, which is the main cause of the post-exercise discomfort many people experience,' explains Michael. As we’ve discovered stretching this kind of tension out yourself doesn’t always work. The best way to release it is with manually, expertly, applied pressure. 'During your sports massage you’ll be moved into a range of different, supported, positions and your muscles will be manipulated allowing them to recover fully,’ says Michael. Super important if you’re boxing, bootcamping or training hard three times a week or more.
• 2 Is it a no pain no gain situation?

  No. ‘When you’re releasing very built up areas of tension things get can a little uncomfortable but you should feel no pain,’ explains Michael. ‘Certain muscles can feel tender or tight but that’s why you’re having the massage, to make it better,’ The main difference between a regular massage and a sports massage is that it tends to be specific to one or two areas. Your therapist will focus on the joints or muscles in question and use a combination of stretching and manipulation. ‘The aim is to open up the body and get deep into the layers of muscles.’ It’s important to note that this is a clinical massage,’ says Michael. In other words It might not be quite as relaxing as other massage techniques but the results can be transformative. Don’t worry. You’ll still get to enjoy the aromatic delights of a massage oil, as well as a number of refreshing gels or targeted body masks.
• 3 Do I need a sports massage?

  If you’re a fitness fanatic who works out regularly, this high intensity massage could be an ideal way to ‘cool off’ your muscles after an especially gruelling session. It’ll also optimise your performance and make sure you reach your fitness targets free from injury or long term damage. Are you a fitness first timer? Then use the sports massage as a way to ease yourself and your body into a regular workout regime. 'Due to it’s high intensity the sports massage was initially designed for male athletes but today, just as many women book in for this very specific treatment, says Michael. ‘From yogis to boxers to runners to spinners, it’s ideal for anyone who puts their body under a significant amount of exercise related strain.' We’re off to book ours now…