How to Prep Your Body for a Race With Massage

You’ve trained for weeks. Early mornings, long runs, proper meals, tight routines. Race day’s coming — and you want to show up at your best.

So here’s the question:

Should you get a massage before a race?

Short answer: Yes.

But only if you do it right.

What Pre-Race Massage Actually Does

It’s not about going deep and breaking knots. That’s not what your body needs the day before a big push.

The goal is to:

• Wake up the muscles

• Increase circulation

• Reduce lingering tension

• Prime your nervous system without draining it

Think of it like turning the engine on, letting it warm up, getting the machine ready — not taking it apart and rebuilding it.

Timing Is Everything

If you’re getting a deep tissue massage, do it 3–5 days before your race. That gives your body time to recover and rebuild before go-time.

If you want a lighter, stimulating massage (which is perfect for pre-race), aim for the day before or even the morning of— quick, targeted, energising.

Areas to Focus On

• Calves & Hamstrings: Keep them springy and relaxed

• Hip Flexors & Glutes: Loosen them up so you’re not running with brakes on

• Feet & Ankles: Increase circulation and awareness

• Upper back & neck (especially for longer races): Release any tension that could affect your posture or breathing

Don’t Overdo It

This isn’t the time to go “no pain, no gain.” If you walk out of a massage sore the day before your race, that’s a mistake. You want to feel lighter, looser, more connected — not wrecked.

Bonus Tip

Follow it up with hydration, light movement, and good sleep.

Massage preps the body — you prep the mindset.

Want to feel fast, light, and ready to go?

Then treat your body like an athlete, not just a runner.

Book the massage. Get the edge. Win the race — or at least enjoy it more.