Does it matter? I’m feeling a bit stiff at the moment (have upped my exercise levels a fair bit this past week!), think I might go have an hours massage to loosen things up (back and hamstrings particularily). Should I go before the gym, or after? Or not go to the gym at all? It’ll be a Thai style massage btw (if it makes an difference)…

Have you upped your stretching and hydration to the level of your increased activity? This could affect your muscle stiffness and recovery. Tho I have used them, I find a sports massage from a physio is hit and miss. I’ve found (Ashtanga and Iyengar) yoga to be an excellent way of evening out muscle imbalances and minimising post exercise ache. Found my way to yoga when I used to climb, where suppleness and mobility of joint range make a hug difference.

Thai style full body massage, will definitely make it stiff 😉

igmc

I would just go get the massage to be honest and not bother with the exercise.

will sir be paying extra for a

with his

❓

fnarr fnarr

Sigh… silly children… I can’t afford a happy ending anyway, at least, not here in the UK 😉

Have you upped your stretching and hydration to the level of your increased activity?

Hydration yes, stretching, not so great (though I’ve always been appalling at this!). Should get into Yoga, by all accounts it would help with my problematic back (at least partly related to silly tight legs I think!)

A good sports massage, (e.g. one that hurts), will relese toxins into your body and you’ll feel tired/crap afterwards. Therefore plan it after a training session and before a rest day.

What TSC said.

A good sports massage, (e.g. one that hurts), will relese toxins into your body and you’ll feel tired/crap afterwards. Therefore plan it after a training session and before a rest day.

He speaketh the truth.
I’ve felt properly rubbish the day after a massage in the past, particularly if I’ve not had one in a while. It just flushes all the crap out of the muscles.
Have the massage after exercise, use the following day as a rest day, perhaps a gentle spin or walk to get the blood flowing.

cheers chaps, that’s what I shall do then 🙂 I love STW for organising my life 🙂

Giving yourself a bit of a rub can help a bit. It’s good to do in the shower or a bath.

(going for the most suggestive post on the thread)