Basic Exercise Program for Massage Therapists

Massage Therapy is a Physically demanding profession. It is in the interests of Massage therapist to stay in shape. Here is a basic exercise program to help massage therapist stay in shape.

This workout should be done 2 times per week with at least 2 days rest in between.
e.g Monday and Friday

Will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to do

5 minute total body warm up - e.g walking on treadmill

1)Pull Ups or Pull downs- 1 warm up set plus 2 working sets of 8 to 15 reps

2)Press- 1 warm up set plus 2 working sets of 8 to 15 reps

3)Bent Over rows- 1 warm up set plus 2 working sets of 8 to 15 reps

4)Deadlift- 1 warm up set plus 2 working sets of 8 to 10 reps

5)Bodyweight Lunges- 2 sets 10 to 30 reps each leg

6) 1 set Reverse Crunches 20 to 30 reps superset with Planks hold for 30 sec to 1 min (work up to 3 min)

7) 1 set Side planks hold for 30 sec to 1 min each side

8) Facepulls- 2 sets of 20 to 30 reps


You will notice that there is no bench press in the program as massage therapist tend to get very tight in the chest with all the down ward pressing movements during massage. Hence we have focused on the traditional press.

Some of exercises help balance pattern overloads which develop with massaging while some help strengthen muscles used during massage.

Make sure to stretch post workout for 5 to 10 minutes. Again problem areas for massage therapist tend to be forearms, pecs, lower back. Though this varies with some massage therapist having issues with legs and hips as well as their neck.

Aside from the obvious benefits of exercising, for a massage therapist exercising can help prolong their career.


Any questions contact us at cmtosucks@gmail.com

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