Sports massage is a form of deep tissue therapy that focuses on treating and preventing musculoskeletal issues caused by exercise, posture, or daily stress. It combines techniques such as kneading, trigger point therapy, stretching, and muscle stripping to target specific problem areas.

At The Fitness Charter, we tailor each session to your needs—whether that’s easing muscle soreness, aiding injury recovery, or improving performance. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment—it’s personalised care for your body.

Every session is tailored to you—your body, your goals, and how you're feeling on the day.

Consultation:

We’ll start with a short consultation where I’ll ask a few questions about your general health, any injuries or areas of discomfort, and what you’d like to get out of the session (e.g., pain relief, improved mobility, or simply to feel looser after training or work). If needed, I may assess your posture or range of movement to get a clearer picture of what’s going on.

Sports Massage:

The massage itself will focus on the areas we’ve discussed, using a combination of techniques such as deep tissue work, trigger point release, stretching, or more gentle techniques if your body is already under stress. I’ll always check in about pressure and comfort, and you’re encouraged to speak up at any point.

Aftercare:

After the treatment, we’ll take a few minutes to talk through how your body responded, and I’ll offer some practical advice—this might include stretches, movement tips, or suggestions to support your recovery and progress between sessions.

Think of it as a partnership—we work together to support your body in the way it needs, whether you're an athlete, active person, or dealing with everyday aches and tension.

While sports massage is often associated with athletes, it’s beneficial for anyone experiencing muscle tension, discomfort, or fatigue—including office workers, gym-goers, manual labourers, and those managing stress.

Whether you're training for a marathon or dealing with a tight neck from sitting at a desk, our treatments can help relieve tension, improve flexibility, and promote long-term physical wellness.

We offer flexible session lengths to suit your needs and goals:

1. 45 minutes: Great for targeting a specific area

1. 60 minutes: A detailed session covering multiple areas, such as the upper-body or lower-body, or focused work on a particular region

1. 90 minutes: Extended session for a full upper-body or lower-body treatment, or a comprehensive full-body massage. This allows extra time for deeper work and use of various techniques

1. 120 minutes: Our most intensive option, ideal for clients wanting a complete, full-body experience with maximum attention to detail

Each session begins with a consultation to understand your needs, followed by personalised hands-on treatment and tailored aftercare advice to help you get the best results.

The Fitness Charter is run by Andrew, a qualified male sports massage therapist. At this time, it is not possible to be treated by a female massage therapist with us.

We understand that for many people, especially if it’s your first time, the idea of what to wear for a sports massage can feel a little uncertain. At The Fitness Charter, we are committed to making you feel completely safe, respected, and comfortable throughout your experience.

General Guidance:

You’ll only need to remove clothing from the area being treated, and you’ll be appropriately covered with towels at all times. Your privacy and dignity are a top priority, and your comfort is just as important as the treatment itself.

For Men:

1. Upper body treatment: You may be asked to remove your top, or wear a vest or sports top if that feels more comfortable. If removing clothing, you will remain covered by towels with only the area being worked on exposed.
2. Lower body treatment: Loose-fitting sports shorts are ideal. These allow access to the muscles being treated while keeping you fully covered and comfortable.

For Women:

1. Upper body treatment (e.g. back, shoulders, arms): You may choose to wear a sports bra, crop top, or remove your top. If removing clothing, you will remain covered by towels with only the area being worked on exposed.
2. Lower body treatment (e.g. legs, hips, calves): We recommend wearing loose-fitting sports shorts. These allow us to work effectively while ensuring your comfort and modesty is maintained at all times.

Full body treatment:

For longer sessions such as a 90 or 120-minute massage, where both upper and lower body may be treated, we’ll clearly explain what to expect beforehand. You’ll always have the option to ask questions, and we’ll only treat areas you’re comfortable having worked on.

In short:

We do not offer massage within the first 72 hours after an injury.

You can book a sports massage once 72 hours have passed, provided swelling and severe pain have started to settle.

⛔ Before 72 Hours (Acute Phase)

If your injury is new—within the first 72 hours—your body is in its early healing stage. There may be swelling, inflammation, and tissue damage.

Massage is not suitable at this time, as it can interfere with healing and potentially make things worse.

➡️ Focus on rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and follow any advice from your GP, physio or medical provider.

✅ After 72 Hours (Sub-Acute Phase and Beyond)

Once the initial 72 hours have passed, and swelling and pain are under control, sports massage can be a safe and effective way to support your recovery.

At this stage, we can:

1. Use gentle techniques to promote circulation and reduce stiffness
2. Help ease tension in muscles compensating for the injury
3. Support healing and improve your overall movement

As you move into the chronic phase (21+ days), deeper sports massage techniques can be used to help reduce scar tissue, restore mobility, and prevent future issues.

Appointment Cancellation Policy – Sports Massage

To ensure fair and efficient scheduling for all clients, we kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your sports massage appointment.

Deposits & Cancellations:

1. A deposit is required to secure your booking.
2. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice will result in the deposit being non-refundable.
3. The deposit not only secures your appointment but also helps cover our travel and business expenses related to preparing for your session.
4. This policy also allows us to offer the time slot to other clients who may be waiting.

We understand that unexpected situations can arise. If you are unable to make your appointment due to an emergency, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options. Thank you for your understanding and support

The frequency depends on your lifestyle, goals, and current physical condition:

1. For general fitness and wellbeing, having a sports massage every 3–4 weeks helps maintain muscle health, improve flexibility and mobility, and prevent stiffness before it develops into pain or injury.

1. If you’re training regularly or working on improving mobility, weekly or bi-weekly sessions can support recovery, reduce muscle tightness, and enhance your range of motion.

1. For injury recovery or intensive training phases, more frequent treatments may be necessary to aid healing and maintain optimal performance.

At The Fitness Charter, we work with you to develop a personalised plan that fits your body’s needs and your schedule, helping you stay active, flexible, and performing at your best.

In many cases, sports massage can be safe and beneficial even if you have a medical condition. However, because everyone’s health situation is unique, it’s very important that you inform us about any existing conditions—such as heart issues, high blood pressure, recent surgeries, or chronic illnesses—before your session.

Depending on your condition, we may need to modify the treatment or, in some cases, refer you to your GP or healthcare provider before proceeding. For some conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis or infectious skin diseases, sports massage is contraindicated (must be avoided). Your safety is our top priority, and we will always take a cautious approach to ensure the best care for you.