Should You Workout Before or After a Massage? Pros and Cons

Should You Workout Before Getting a Massage?

Getting a massage can be an amazing way to relieve muscle soreness, improve circulation, and just generally relax. However, one question that often comes up is whether you should workout before getting a massage. There are pros and cons to both options, so let's take a look at the potential benefits and drawbacks of working out before a massage.

The Potential Benefits of Working Out First

Here are some of the possible advantages of getting in a workout before your massage appointment:

• Warming up the muscles - A light to moderate workout before a massage can help warm up your muscles and increase circulation. This makes it easier for the massage therapist to manipulate the tissues.
• Increasing blood flow - Exercise boosts blood flow around the body. This means more oxygen and nutrients can reach your muscles, helping the recovery process.
• Flushing out lactic acid - Working out helps flush out excess lactic acid buildup that leads to muscle soreness and stiffness.
• Enhancing mental relaxation - The combination of physical exertion from the workout and mental relaxation from the massage promotes a profound feeling of calm.
• Releasing endorphins - Any exercise triggers the release of endorphins which boosts your mood and creates feelings of euphoria.
• Better recovery - The increased blood flow from the pre-massage workout allows the body to more effectively deliver nutrients for muscle recovery.

The main takeaway is that a light to moderate workout beforehand warms and loosens the muscles, releases tension, and prepares the body for deeper therapeutic and recovery benefits from the massage.

Potential Drawbacks of Exercising Beforehand

Despite the potential benefits, there are also some downsides to consider about working out right before a massage:

• Fatigue - An intense gym session could leave you feeling drained and less able to relax during the massage.
• Post-workout soreness - Strenuous exercise often leaves muscles tender and sensitive afterwards.
• Dehydration - Heavy sweating during exercise can lead to dehydration. This thickens muscle tissues, making them harder to manipulate.
• Reduced blood flow - Very strenuous workouts divert blood flow from peripheral muscles to the heart and lungs.
• Sub-optimal recovery - Without enough rest between the workout and massage, recovery may be hindered.
• Delayed onset muscle soreness - You may experience more muscle soreness in the days after the massage.

The main concerns revolve around not having enough rest between an intense workout and massage. This could negatively impact muscle pliability, hydration, circulation, and post-massage recovery.

Best Practices for Working Out Before a Massage

If you do choose to exercise before a massage, there are some best practices to follow:

• Allow enough time between the workout and massage - At least an hour to rehydrate and let circulation normalize.
• Avoid heavy strength training - Stick to lighter cardio or mobility exercises that won't fatigue the muscles as much.
• Focus on warming up - Spend 5-10 minutes warming up with dynamic stretches and bodyweight moves.
• Keep workouts under an hour - Longer, more intense sessions can leave you drained and sore.
• Hydrate well - Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout.
• Eat a light snack - A small nutritious snack 30-60 minutes pre-massage can help avoid energy crashes.
• Listen to your body - Avoid overdoing it on any sore or tender areas.

The goal is to strike a balance where you lightly activate the muscles and get the blood flowing without overexerting yourself or compromising your energy. This will allow you to get the most out of your massage session.

Alternative Options to Try

If working out right before a massage doesn't sound ideal to you, here are some other options to consider:

• Get the massage first - Schedule your massage as your pre-workout warm-up. The stretching and tissue manipulation will prepare your muscles for exercise.
• Separate workouts and massages - Book them on separate days. This allows proper recovery time and avoids same-day conflicts.
• Do a warm-up ritual - Try gentle yoga flows, foam rolling, or using a massage gun before the appointment.
• Prioritize hydration - Focus on drinking plenty of water in the 24 hours leading up to the massage.
• Target certain muscle groups - Only massage body parts not worked that day to avoid overuse.
• Communicate with your therapist - Let them know of any tender spots from previous workouts.

The timeline you follow really depends on your own needs and preferences. The most important thing is open communication with your massage therapist so they can tailor the session accordingly.

The Bottom Line

There are reasonable arguments on both sides of the pre-massage workout debate. In general, a properly timed moderate workout can optimize blood flow and warm up the muscles to better receive the benefits of the massage. However, intense exercise too soon before a massage may leave you fatigued, dehydrated, and excessively sore afterwards.

If you do choose to work out beforehand, allow at least an hour of rest, stick to lighter cardio/mobility exercises, adequately rehydrate, and communicate with your massage therapist. However, you can achieve many of the same benefits through massage-first warm-ups, proper scheduling, hydration, and targeted muscle work instead.

Listen to your own body's needs and preferences. With the right timing and communication, you can enhance both your workouts and massage sessions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.