Both pre- and post-workout massages offer benefits. Here’s when to schedule one for optimal recovery.
Short answer: After — unless you’ve got a very specific reason not to.
You’re training hard. You’re showing up. And now you’re adding massage therapy to the mix — solid move.
But here’s the question:
Do you get your massage before your workout to loosen up… or after to recover better?
✅ Best Option: Massage After Your Workout or Training Session
Why? Because that’s when your body:
- Is holding fatigue, tension, and microtrauma
- Has built-up waste products in the tissue
- Needs nervous system downregulation
- Can use massage to kickstart recovery and repair
A post-workout massage can:
- Reduce soreness (DOMS)
- Boost circulation
- Improve muscle recovery
- Help your system shift into rest + repair mode
- Improve mobility for your next session
Ideal timing: Within a few hours post-training, or even the next day depending on your intensity.
⚠️ Getting a Massage Before a Workout? Only in Specific Situations.
We only recommend pre-workout massage if:
- You need targeted mobility prep (like opening up hips or shoulders)
- You’re rehabbing an area and want to reduce neural tension
- It’s light and dynamic, not deep or relaxing
- You’re performing (e.g., game day, competition) and need movement-priming
👉 Deep tissue before a lift? Bad idea.
It can temporarily reduce strength output and stability — not what you want under a barbell.
❌ Don’t Do This:
- Get a hard massage and go sprint or deadlift right after
- Expect massage to replace your warm-up or mobility work
- Book a massage on leg day and then go hit a heavy squat PR 30 minutes later
Your body needs time to adapt and reset, not go straight back into max output mode.
Final Word: Use Massage Strategically
Massage is a tool — and like any tool, timing matters.
At YFS (Your Form Sux), we help clients integrate massage into their training, rehab, and recovery plans, not just as a one-off “treat.”
Whether you’re chasing performance, mobility, or pain relief — we’ll help you schedule it where it works, not where it works against you.
Training hard? Book smart.
Schedule your massage post-workout at YFS Toronto and feel the difference in how your body recovers, moves, and performs.
