We’ve all been there, the unbelievable soreness and pain we feel in our joints and muscles after a workout that makes us rethink getting fit, lose motivation, and abandon exercise altogether.
The unpleasant pains and aches that come from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can hinder our efforts to get back into the gym and go about our daily activities.
If delayed onset muscle soreness is one of the biggest factors as to why you have abandoned your fitness routine, then we have the answer for you, post-workout massages.
To put it simply, the benefits of getting a post-workout massage are immensely beneficial.
From reducing soreness and stress to increasing blood flow and energy levels, post-massage workouts are a must!
Read on to learn about the full benefits of getting a regular post-workout massage.
But, before we get into the benefits of post-workout massage therapies, let’s talk a little bit about what happens to your body after a workout.
What Happens to Your Body after a Workout?
Obviously, staying active and keeping fit is vital for our overall health and wellbeing both mentally and physically.
So, having a superior understanding of how your body works post-workout is important, and the good news is — it’s all positive!
Many things start to happen to your body when you finish working out. How your body recovers from this is dependent on the level of fitness you are at.
After a workout or even as soon as you step off the treadmill, your body starts going back to its recovery mode as soon as possible.
Really, your body is in a state of shock after a workout as your muscles have created microtears.
However, the more you push to increase the boundaries of your fitness, the more your body gets used to it and is able to better handle the changes allowing your body to rebuild itself over time.
To help recover quicker many athletic enthusiasts invest in a post-workout massage!
5 Benefits of A Post Workout Massage
1. Speeds Up Muscle Recovery
Whether you’re a regular gym-goer or an athlete, you have probably been injured at some point.
Having a post-workout massage will help reduce athletic injuries as it massages the deep tissue, improving your flexibility, and reducing your risk for injuries.
Your muscles require good circulation in order for cells to start to rebuild. Therefore, by increasing circulation, more blood is flowing to the muscles.
Essentially, what you’re doing is allowing the blood to rush to the muscles which in turn, will help them recover quicker.
You could always ask your massage therapist to work on any pressure points that you would have trouble with such as, hips, calves, hamstrings, etc.
2. Decrease Post-Workout Inflammation
Inflammation is caused by damaged tissues in your body causing occasional swelling.
Inflammation reduces the blood flow which allows your muscles to heal properly.
By getting a post-workout massage, the blood flow to your muscles improves and reduces inflammation.
3. Improves Blood Circulation
Having a healthy circulation will not only help reduce inflammation but will improve your overall health too.
An extremely beneficial and highly important factor for all of the organs, good blood flow is the secret that keeps us healthy, and looking and feeling young!
Improved blood flow helps boost your immunity to reduce headaches; elevating your workouts, resulting in increased energy and fantastic health.
4. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
We all suffer from stress and anxiety from daily life. Being subjected to these everyday pressures takes its toll and we can end up neglecting our bodies.
By getting a massage, you’re putting your body in complete relaxation mode, which is perfect for reducing stress, anxiety, and improving your mood.
The three key chemicals in your brain that help to improve your mood, serotonin, noradrenalin, and dopamine, increase significantly after a workout and a massage.
5. Quick Pain Relief
Post-workout, your muscles are in overdrive, strained, and tense, which results in aches and pains.
The good news is, just a few minutes of massage helps relieve tension and pain.
Ask your massage therapist to focus on the areas where you have the most tension.
Post-Workout Massage Tips
By now, you should be convinced of the benefits of a post-workout massage!
But you may be wondering, what kind of massage works? Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
What Kind of Massage Works Best?
Here are five post-workout massages for you to try.
- Swedish massage – perfect for stress reduction, it increases the key chemicals related to stress that were mentioned earlier: serotonin and dopamine.
- Thai massage – a combination of yoga postures and acupressure, a Thai massage is perfect for unblocking your energy flow and getting rid of any stiffness in your body.
- Sports massage – it might sound obvious, but this massage was specifically designed to help athletes improve on their performance by helping with flexibility, relieving tension, and preventing injuries.
- Reflexology – also known as zone therapy, this is designed to target specific pressure points. It helps to boost your metabolism, remove toxins, and increase endorphins.
- Muscle Percussion Therapy – a firm favorite of many athletes, it is probably one of the best massages for muscle recovery.
In order for you to get the best out of your massage, it is recommended that you get a massage straight after your workout.
This really comes down to what type of massage you want. Usually, a massage lasts no more than 60 minutes however, anywhere between 20-60 minutes is great.
It is a good idea to talk to your massage therapist first and discuss any concerns you may have so they can advise you on what the best option for you would be.
In Conclusion…
The bottom line is, a post-workout massage can be a lifesaver after doing a hard day’s work at the gym!
Although it can be a little pricey, it is worth every penny considering all the health benefits that come with it.
So, go ahead, book your first post-workout massage and reap the rewards of your hard work!
If you’re interested in optimizing your workouts, head over to Dumbbells Review to find the latest tips and trends in fitness!
This blog post article was written primarily by Daniel DeMoss.
