Massage Chairs and Recovery for Athletes

It’s no secret that exercise is a key factor in adding a health-promoting element to our daily lives. The demands of work—and often our leisure activities as well—make our bodies practically cry out for exercise. Exercise is undoubtedly healthy, but it’s still a strain on the body that needs to be managed properly. Sore muscles and tension are often a daily occurrence for athletes and active individuals—which is why sports massages and massage chairs for athletes are becoming increasingly important.

Mehmet Geleri is a fitness trainer and nutritionist. In an interview with us, he explains why massage chairs are gaining traction in the sports world, why recovery is such a crucial factor for athletes, and how certain models—with features specifically tailored to their needs—can easily compete with the alternative of a massage therapist in the long run, both in terms of quality and price.

Recommended Reading: In our article "From Head to Toe: Here's How Massages Can Help," you'll find everything you need to know about the various uses of massage.

 

Mehmet, how important do you think recovery is in sports?

It has long been known from professional sports and studies conducted in that field that recovery time has a major impact on training progress. The less time my body and the muscles I’ve worked out need to recover, the sooner I can start my next training session. Research in this area has shown that massage can shorten recovery time by up to 50 percent — a huge advantage for athletes.

 

Massages should be much more accessible to people who exercise

As a personal trainer, I’m very familiar with my clients’ situations and often see that they get massages far less frequently than recommended. This is primarily due to availability and accessibility. Either it’s difficult to fit massages into their daily schedules, or it’s hard to coordinate appointments. Financially, massage therapists often charge between 60 and 120 EUR per hour. A worthwhile investment in the long run, but still an expensive one.

Professional massage chairs for athletes overcome these two hurdles with ease. For one thing, they’re always available exactly when I need them, and over the medium to long term, they pay for themselves financially very quickly. That’s why they’re being used more and more frequently, and new models are being developed specifically for the target group of physically active people.

 

Which areas of the body should a massage chair designed for athletes focus on in particular?

The body is, of course, a complex mechanism consisting of numerous muscles, tendons, and bones. Tension in one area quickly affects other areas, which in turn triggers unwanted discomfort there. If we look at the body in the context of a massage chair, we can clearly see the areas where the chair exerts its effects. These correspond perfectly with key points of the musculoskeletal system.

Foot and Leg Massages

Our feet and legs are, of course, the foundation of our mobility. This applies not only to athletes but to everyone, because even a long walk can sometimes leave some of us feeling a slight pulling, pressure, or twinge in the evening. A massage chair designed for active people should therefore not skimp on foot care. Foot rollers on the underside provide a foot reflexology massage, while airbags apply rhythmic compression. This promotes relaxation and blood flow, increasing the supply of vital oxygen and nutrients from the blood.

In addition, many athletes’ calves tend to become tight and cramped. Regular stretching, as well as compression massage provided by additional airbags in the calf area, also support recovery in this area.

Thigh and Hip Massage

The thigh muscle is one of the strongest muscles in the human body. In massage chairs, such as the Allrounder MSW16003HH, the massage rollers move from the back area, over the lower back, and under the buttocks all the way to the thigh. There, they provide a broad-ranging and pleasant massage to a muscle group that is heavily used and crucial for mobility.
In addition, side airbags in this area provide effective compression and relaxation. A gentle rotation is stimulated in the hip area. The hips are a key area for greater mobility in everyday life.

Relaxation for Your Back

Experience shows that this is one of the most common problem areas for people—specifically the lower back. This is due, on the one hand, to a lack of or improper movement and posture in everyday life, but also to underdeveloped muscle groups in the core. Many ailments and limitations in mobility originate here, which is why this area should be trained particularly well and, accordingly, regularly relaxed and loosened up. For athletes, this is a key area for greater stability and safety during movement sequences.

The massage rollers along the back simulate massages that move lengthwise, crosswise, and deep into the back. The intensity can be adjusted using the 4D function buttons, depending on your personal comfort level.

Recommended Reading: You can find more information about possible causes and ways to relieve back pain in our article.

Neck and Shoulder Massage

In addition to back pain, people very often complain of neck pain and severe tension in that area. The problem is that these issues can very quickly lead to headaches and other symptoms. The Allrounder massage chair, in particular, offers a selection of massage techniques designed to provide optimal muscle relaxation.

Hands and Forearms

The full-body massage is complemented by airbags in the hands and forearms. By adjusting the intensity, this treatment can also improve lymphatic flow and promote relaxation.

All in all, this versatile chair allows you to massage the most important areas of the body, tailored entirely to your personal preferences for intensity and duration. With no need to schedule an appointment or travel anywhere, a massage chair offers an excellent alternative to expensive massage therapists.

I highly recommend that athletes and very active people—who need frequent recovery periods—try out a few models to see for themselves just how easy it is to relax with the right massage chair. They support your training progress, promote recovery and blood circulation, and are ready to use at any time. The techniques are very sophisticated and, in my opinion, are now on par with traditional massages—a top recommendation.

Thank you very much to Mehmet for the conversation about recovery and massage chairs in the world of sports, as well as for your expertise.