Massage for Athletes
As an athlete, you likely take care of your body, train for your sport and put the proper nutrients into your body. Your muscles are probably conditioned and accustomed to frequent exercise and activity. You may not even get sore! Due to your peak physical fitness, you don’t need a massage chair – Right?
Wrong! This would be a common misconception and a complete lack of the recovery process for any athlete. No two workouts, games, rides, or competitions are exactly the same. The level of competition or degree of effort you put forth can affect your body. Additionally, an unexepected injury is always a possibility. Muscle soreness is a natural outcome of any kind of physical activity. Delayed onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common result of physical activity that stresses the muscle tissue beyond what it is accustomed to.
Regardless of your symptoms, a luxury massage chair can be an ally in your healthy exercise regimen. Like any athlete, you probably want the best, which is why we’ve outlined the best massage chairs for athletes below.
What Kinds of Massage
So, when it comes to massage types, what is the best massage for athletes? Most professionals agree that deep tissue massage is the most beneficial for an athlete. Deep tissue massage refers to any massage which applies deep, sustained, strokes to problem areas in your back and neck. The massage deeply penetrates layers of muscle and connective tissue, mobilizing deep connective tissues called fascia. Deep tissue massage also effects blood vessels and nerves. This massage type can not only be used for recovery, but also during competition or exercise programs. This type of massage is typically what you woudl get from a sports massage therapist. These types of therapists are often employed or hired by professional sports teams and large university sports programs (usually Division 1), to help maintain the bodies of their elite athletes.
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, deep tissue massage helps athletes:
- Reduce muscle tension
- Monitor muscle tone
- Promote relaxation
- Increase range of motion
- Decrease muscle stiffness and soreness after exercise
- Enhance athletic performance
- Help prevent injuries when received regularly
Massage Chairs for Athletes
When considering a massage chairs for athletes, the focus should be on chairs that attempt to mimic deep tissue massage. Chairs will roller mechanisms built in are going to be able to best offer this massage experience. The Kahuna SM-9000 Superior Massage Chair, for instance, provides an ideal massage chair treatment to help any athlete in the ways listed above. A few other great options for an elite athlete are the Osaki OS-4000 Zero Gravity Massage Chair or the Human Touch Whole Body Massage Chair.
Not every athlete has the same taste in massage, and not every treatment needs to be of the same intensity. Many prefer a lighter touch and a more relaxing overall massage chair experience. For those athletes, chairs that attempt to mimic Shiatsu or Swedish massages may be best. Some of the top massage chairs such as the Ideal Massage Full Featured Shiatsu Chair or the RealRelax Full Body Shiatsu Favor-03 would be alternative options with great reputations for pressure control. The pressure of the massage is controlled by altering the flow of air into the chair’s airbags and can be adjusted by preference on many top models.
What’s Best for You?
Athletes come in all shapes and sizes. Additionally many of us work out and have hopes of living life like the pros. Regardless, not every athlete wants the same massage chair experience. The best plan is to ask questions and explore the options open to you. As most people will not have the opportunity to try their massage chair before they buy it, we recommend reading through each of our reviews and our Buyers Guide to gain as much knowledge as possible.
However, rest assured, massage chair therapy will assist your “game,” whatever that may be.