Leg massages

amjon.

Do may guys on here get their legs massaged during the racing season. I heard a few people talking about it at the weekend and am wondering does it help much?

DirkVoodoo

I was talking to this guy Carl over the winter, big bruiser of a chap who had done the RAS, won a few stages in the tour of Ulster, etc. He was an old fashioned sort of cyclist in a lot of ways, not one for powermeters or other gizmos.

He did say to me that a good massage was an essential part of his racing program.

There are worse ways to spend 60 quid and 40 minutes in cycling, browsing CRC looking for a pair of pink overshoes is probably up there. I say go for it!

amjon.

Right, have you ever got one? Did you notice anything? Better recovery? Improved flexibilty? More power?

DirkVoodoo

amjon. wrote: »

Right, have you ever got one? Did you notice anything? Better recovery? Improved flexibilty? More power?

I only got one after the Sean Kelly Tour last year, felt like a million bucks after a rub down from an older woman.

I have been getting some physio recently from Paul Tansey which includes a bit of massage, it has made a difference alright, more movement in my hips and lower back.

amjon.

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I only got one after the Sean Kelly Tour last year, felt like a million bucks after a rub down from an older woman.

I have been getting some physio recently from Paul Tansey which includes a bit of massage, it has made a difference alright, more movement in my hips and lower back.

I just finished a long course of treatment with Paul. He really is amazing, however he charges 75 euro an hour for his cycling massages which is a bit steep. Is there anyone out there a bit more resonable or is this the going rate?

DirkVoodoo

amjon. wrote: »

I just finished a long course of treatment with Paul. He really is amazing, however he charges 75 euro an hour for his cycling massages which is a bit steep. Is there anyone out there a bit more resonable or is this the going rate?

The only other place I was looking at was Winning Solutions.

chakattack

amjon. wrote: »

I just finished a long course of treatment with Paul. He really is amazing, however he charges 75 euro an hour for his cycling massages which is a bit steep. Is there anyone out there a bit more resonable or is this the going rate?

I had one after the Sean Kelly last year too - legs felt instantly better.

I'd say the only benefit is quicker lactic acid removal and recovery so you can maybe race/train hard two days in a row.

I think getting professional massages at amateur level is excessive unless you have cash to burn but from what I've read elsewhere you can do the basics yourself or with the help of a willing assistant.

All jokes aside maybe some thai massage parlours might work out cheaper and be as effective.

kennyb3

Im with chak - get a good foam roller (i have 'the stick' and like it) for your legs and the missus for the back if you want to save yourself some cash.

RobFowl

The evidence base on massage is a bit limited and the consistent and proven effect is reduced pain and discomfort following massage.
The academic sports medicine crowd argue this does not mean fast recovery or improved performance necessarily but reduced pain especially during a stage race or during a block of races is IMO a vital way of helping recovery, preventing injury and reducing the risk of burnout.

(+ it's very pleasant too....)

Cookie_Monster

boards deals, 24 instead of 50

not sure if still running now or if finished today

buffalo

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

boards deals, 24 instead of 50

not sure if still running now or if finished today

Finished yesterday, appointment made. Unfortunately a little too late for this thread.

Ryder

My own experience.....I spend 10mins on the foam roller before and after each session rolling my left ITB. If I dont it feels really sore and aches all day. When I do, it is absolute agony, but feels amazing when the tissue relaxes and loosens. I have no issues with my right leg. I do occasionally roll it - with no discernable effect

So based on my sample size of 1, if you have pain go for the occasional deep tissue massage and invest in a foam roller. If you dont have any issues - I dont see the point

GlennaMaddy

a small child is what you need, just get them to walk all over your back and backs of your legs for a minute or two, you'll be sorted and they think it's great crack.

:P

Cookie_Monster

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

a small child is what you need, just get them to walk all over your back and backs of your legs for a minute or two, you'll be sorted and they think it's great crack.

:P

I don't think many people would let me borrow their small child though

lukester

I have a foam roller too. Using that, combined with regular stretching, makes a big difference. You can also use a sponge ball or tennis ball to work on trigger points, more here.

Any good sports masseuse should be able to work effectively on your legs.

anthony_walsh

Massage is absolutely essential part of race prep for me.
It speeds my recovery and allows me to train hard the following day.
At a minimum it's worth experimenting with to see if you get similar results.

Colm Cassidy (A1 racer with sportsactive) is a top class for massage.
He only charges €30 for a 45 minute session.
<snip>

Beasty

No personal numbers in-thread (particularly when it belongs to someone else!!)

Thanks

Beasty

amjon.

anthony_walsh wrote: »

Massage is absolutely essential part of race prep for me.
It speeds my recovery and allows me to train hard the following day.
At a minimum it's worth experimenting with to see if you get similar results.

Colm Cassidy (A1 racer with sportsactive) is a top class for massage.
He only charges €30 for a 45 minute session.
<snip>

Cheers.

RacoonQueen

anthony_walsh wrote: »

Massage is absolutely essential part of race prep for me.
It speeds my recovery and allows me to train hard the following day.
At a minimum it's worth experimenting with to see if you get similar results.

Colm Cassidy (A1 racer with sportsactive) is a top class for massage.
He only charges €30 for a 45 minute session.
<snip>

That is very cheap, my guy at €60 for an hour is a good deal generally.

I do a bit of it freelance so obviously recommend it, fact is it does get to places that the foam roller doesn't reach. Even with my knowledge of sports massage and it's benefits and effects, I avoided it for years(as a long distance runner who cycles maybe 60 - 100k a week) this was pretty stupid. You'll find injuries you'd long since pretended weren't there. :pac:

It's great if you find someone who is a cyclist and understands the biomechanics of cycling, a lot of chancers out there like...

xoxyx

I have two friends who go into the Dublin Thai Centre on Kevin Street regularly and ask specifically for leg massages after biking. Apparently they come out feeling awesome.

Me, I've tried a few different massages and can't get comfortable because I'm too ticklish.

Different strokes eh!!

kumate_champ07

isnt that the whole(official) reason why competitive cyclists shave their legs?

Cookie_Monster

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

isnt that the whole(official) reason why competitive cyclists shave their legs?

no, its so they can go faster

[QI]
Woo ooo Woo ooo

-10 points
[/QI]

:P