You don’t need an Honours Degree in Sport Science from Stellenbosch University to be good at sports massage, but it helps. Gideon Maree, the Cape Grace Personal Trainer and Sports Massage Therapist says that doing a sports massage enables him to learn so much about your body that he would otherwise not know.

You may have told him that you have a bad back, but when he feels exactly where and how stiff it is, he can personalise a whole range of treatments and exercises to put you on the right track for improvement.

I was forced to have a sports massage after my personal training session with Gideon, for the sake of the common good, so that I could tell you all about how flipping marvellous it is. It comes with a warning though, because you will want to take the rest of the day easy (or completely off), because while the personal training session tires your muscles, the sports massage finishes you off completely. The lights may be on but nobody will be home!

So what does Gideon do to make you feel this way? Quite simple really, his hands find the parts of your body that have been working unpaid overtime and hone in on releasing them from their bondage, because you have not been paying attention to your physical health. Backs and shoulders usually have some sizeable knots and pressure points that can send you through the roof and you’d be amazed how many there are in the legs. And what-do-you-know, there are even some at the front of the chest, which have become tight because you collapse in a slouch in front of the computer.

So, do yourself a favour and let an expert like Gideon set you on the right track towards a healthier you. Book an appointment for a personal training session followed by a sports massage and make sure you have no pressing engagements afterwards.

To book an appointment with Gideon at the Spa at Cape Grace, please phone +27 21 410 7140 or e-mail spa@capegrace.com

Written by writer-in-residence Carrie Hampton.