What’s On tries some of the best sports massages in Dubai, including Cryotherapy at Emirates Towers, muscle release, marma massage and recovery massage.

More…
– Offbeat sports
– Outdoor fitness classes
– Painless detoxing
– Bikram boot-camp

Been working out? Silence your screaming muscles with the best massages for the sporty set…

Cryotherapy
While most of us make do with a pack of frozen peas to ease sports injuries, elite athletes are turning to an unusual holistic treatment to stay ahead of the curve: cryotherapy. Essentially, it’s ice baths taken to an extraordinary level. They are said to aid muscle regeneration and stimulate the immune-system, and athletes use it to recover from workouts more rapidly. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is such a believer, he had a chamber installed in his home recently.

Now it’s come to Dubai at Cryo Health in Jumeirah Emirates Towers Boulevard (left). What’s On was curious to see what a temperature of -140C felt like. The answer? Very cold. Wearing nothing but underwear, mittens and slippers, we stepped into a cryotherapy chamber similar in size to a shower cubicle. Icy white vapours crept around us as the temperature dropped. The initial sensation was one of outrageous cold and we instantly began to shiver. Thankfully, each session only lasts three minutes, which at Dhs400, makes it darn pricey. When we left the chamber, our bodies tingled as the blood rushed back to our arms and legs. Once our teeth stopped chattering we felt fresh, energised and ready for another workout. No wonder Ronaldo is such a fan.

The Boulevard, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai, daily 10am to 8pm, Dhs400. Tel: (04) 3518300. Metro: Emirates Towers. cryo-health.com

Cryotherapy in Dubai - sports massages in Dubai

Therapeutic Massage
This massage tackles pain within the core muscle groups. Needless to say, firm pressure is used to release tension, especially after activity or injury. After just an hour, those aches and pains will be a distant memory.

Urban Male Lounge, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, Sun to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thur to Sat 10am to midnight, Dhs310. Tel: (04) 3951103. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. nstyleintl.com

Muscle Release
This massage is targeted at those who want to target stressed muscles after a heavy exercise session. Using Swedish and cross-fibre techniques, along with essential oils known for their benefits on circulation, toxins are drained from the muscles to revitalise and refresh.

The Address, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 10am to 10pm, Dhs450. Tel: (04) 4367424. Metro: Dubai Marina. theaddress.com

Muscle release - sports massages in Dubai

Marma Massage
Using a thumb or palm, pressure is applied to the vital points (marma), which are said to contain the highest concentration of life energy. It’s a good treatment for stressed or fatigued muscles.

Softouch Spa, Kempinksi Hotel, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai, daily 8am to midnight, Dhs480. Tel: (04) 4095909. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. softouchspa.com

Chiro-Golf Massage
Don’t let the name deceive you, this isn’t a treatment aimed at golfers; it’s a massage using golf balls that reduces nerve pressure and loosens tight muscles. It will also beat stress and energise you.

Amara Spa, Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek, Dubai, Sun to Thur 9am to 10pm, Fri and Sat 7.30am to 10pm, Dhs460. Tel: (04) 6021234. Taxi: Dubai Creek. dubai.park.hyatt.com

Chiro-golf massage - sports massages in Dubai

Recovery Massage
A full body massage that eases knots while a blend of aromatherapy oils gets to work on stressed muscles. Ideal for those with a higher pain threshold, this is a no pain, no gain approach.

Raffles Spa, Sheikh Zayed Road, Wafi, Dubai, daily 9am to 9pm, Dhs479. Tel: (04) 3149870. Taxi: Wafi. raffles.com