This past week, I worked with a female runner getting ready for her 10K. She’d been training hard, but her legs felt heavy and tight — especially through her hips and hamstrings. Instead of going with a standard pre-race massage, we combined sports massage therapy with dynamic assisted stretching to get her body primed to perform.

We started with a light, targeted massage to loosen up her legs and increase circulation — nothing too deep, just enough to wake up the muscles and release tension. From there, we moved straight into dynamic assisted stretching, using controlled, active movements to open up her hips, hamstrings, and calves.

By the end of the treatment she said she felt lighter, more mobile, and ready to compete. Her stride looked smoother on my treadmill and more relaxed. She left feeling confident and prepared for the run.

After the race, she told me she felt great the whole way through — no early fatigue, no cramping, just steady, strong legs.

The combo of pre-event massage and dynamic assisted stretching is great for runners: the massage activates and relaxes the muscles, and the stretching locks in mobility right before the event.

If you’ve got a big race or a heavy workout coming up, try it — your muscles will thank you.

And if you’d like some professional advice or want to see how this approach could work for you, don’t hesitate to reach out — I’m always happy to help and advise.

Keep loose.

Dan

This week, a 14-year-old Irish dancer came to see me with tight hips that had been bothering her for a while. She explained how her kicks felt restricted and how the stiffness was starting to take the joy out of her dancing. For someone so passionate about her dancing, it was clear how much this was weighing on her.

During the session, we worked gently but deeply into the muscles around her hips, glutes, and legs. Bit by bit, the tension began to ease. By the end, she stood up, took a few steps, and her face lit up. “My hips feel so much lighter,” she said.

The change was immediate – her movement felt freer, her posture more natural, and that heavy tightness had lifted. Most importantly, her confidence returned. She was already talking about her next  competition and how good it would feel to dance without that restriction.

Moments like this remind me why I love being a sports massage therapist. It’s not just about easing tight muscles – it’s about helping young athletes get back to the activities that light them up inside. Seeing her walk out with a smile and a spring in her step was the best reward.

Hello, I’m Danny Grant, a qualified sports massage therapist—and welcome to my first blog!

With summer holidays now behind us, many people are looking to get back into their usual exercise routines. It’s always great to restart training, but after a few weeks (or months) of downtime, it’s important to give your body the right support to avoid aches, stiffness, or even injuries.

Why Restarting Exercise Feels Tough

After some time away from regular training, it’s common to notice:

• Muscle soreness (DOMS) a day or two after exercise

• Tightness or stiffness, especially in the legs, hips, and shoulders

• Reduced mobility compared to before the break

• Higher injury risk if you push too hard too quickly

The good news is that with a gradual return and the right recovery strategies, you can get back into training smoothly.

How Sports Massage Helps

Sports massage plays an important role in preparing your body for exercise and helping it recover afterwards. Some of the key benefits include:

• Improved flexibility and movement by reducing muscle tightness

• Quicker recovery by improving blood flow and reducing soreness

• Lower risk of injury by addressing imbalances early

• Better performance through more efficient muscle function

By including massage in your routine, you’ll give your muscles and joints the best chance to adapt safely to your workouts.

Tips for a Strong Return to Exercise

If you’re picking up your training again after summer, here are a few simple steps that can help:

1. Ease back into workouts instead of going straight back to your old intensity.

2. Book a massage regularly – even once a month can support long-term progress.

3. Think prevention – don’t wait until you’re injured or very sore.

4. Combine massage with stretching and mobility work to keep results lasting longer.
   Getting back into exercise after the summer holiday is a brilliant way to improve your energy, fitness, and mood. But looking after your body is just as important as the workouts themselves. Sports massage can help keep your muscles and joints ready, so you can train consistently without unnecessary setbacks.

   Thank you for reading my first blog—I’ll be sharing more advice in future posts. If you’re restarting your fitness routine and want to keep your body in great condition, I’d be happy to help.
   
   And if you’d like some advice before booking a treatment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch—I’m always happy to answer questions by email or over the phone.