Massage chair for athletes and recovery: what works best?
Training is only half the battle. How well you recover determines how much you progress. A massage chair can play a significant role in your recovery routine, whether you exercise recreationally or train multiple times a week.
Why recovery is so important
During intensive training, tiny tears occur in the muscle fibers. During the recovery period, these fibers grow back stronger. If you don't recover sufficiently, fatigue accumulates, the risk of injury increases, and your progress stagnates.
Massage speeds up recovery in two ways. Firstly, it improves blood flow to the muscles, which speeds up the removal of waste products like lactic acid. Secondly, massage lowers the level of cortisol in the blood, the stress hormone that slows down recovery.
Which functions are most valuable for athletes?
Air pressure massage on arms and legs. After a workout, these are the muscle groups that are most strained. Airbags that contract rhythmically mimic lymphatic drainage treatment and reduce feelings of heaviness and muscle soreness.
Heat function. Heat in back massage relaxes the deep back muscles that are strained in almost every sport. After a warm-up with heat, the rollers work deeper.
Thai stretch function. This function slightly tilts the chair and stretches the back and hips. Athletes who train powerfully often build up tension in their hip flexors and back muscles. Stretching after training reduces this.
Zero gravity position. In the zero gravity position, the heart rests higher than the legs, which improves blood flow back to the heart. This supports active recovery after a strenuous workout.
When to use?
Preferably use the massage chair 1 to 2 hours after training, when the immediate intensity of the exertion has subsided. A session of 20 to 30 minutes is sufficient for active recovery. Also use it on rest days to keep muscle tension loose without extra strain.
Do you want to buy a massage chair that fits your recovery routine? Compare our models and see which functions suit you.