Wanting to find the best price possible for any service is only natural. But when you’re exploring how much a sports massage in London is, it’s not just about cheaper is better. From the quality of the service to the expertise of the massage therapist, there’s a lot that factors into the final price.
In this guide, we will answer “how much is a sports massage in London” and give you some tips for finding the best price (and even finding a free sports massage). You can also learn more about what a sports massage entails and if it’s really the right treatment for you in our guide Sports Massage: Everything You Need to Know.
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Guide to Sports Massage London Prices
Just like physiotherapy, osteopathy and other physical therapies, there’s a range of clinics and independent experts you can find across London. In 2024, the typical costs you can expect for a single sports massage session are:
- Cheap: £30 plus for an hour-long session
- Average: £60 to £100 for an hour-long session
- Luxury: Up to £200 for an hour-long session
The primary factors that impact the cost are the length of the session, the experience of the massage therapist, plus the equipment and techniques used. A state-of-the-art clinic, run by highly trained therapists with years of experience, is unlikely to be the cheapest option.
Other factors that can impact the price include:
- Location – some London neighbourhoods are more expensive for clinics to operate in, thus their prices must be higher.
- Session time – some times are more in-demand than others, so if you choose an off-peak time you can often reduce the cost.
- Clinic reputation – a clinic trying to build a reputation (or recover from negative feedback) might offer deals and lower prices to attract customers. On the other hand, a clinic with a reputation for providing sports massages to famous sports celebrities may hike up their prices accordingly.
Sports Massage Deals on Discount Sites
It can be awfully tempting to get a sports massage just because it’s 70% off, without looking at what you’re actually receiving or the clinic that’s offering the deal. Discounts and deals on sites like Gumtree or Groupon might be provided by some of the best clinics in London: but you may not receive the same treatment as a full-paying customer.
What’s the takeaway here?
Always look beyond the deal.
It can be tempting to opt for the cheap sports massage options in London, especially if you’re looking for a way to relax and release tension on a budget. However, a subpar sports massage isn’t going to provide the effective, long-term benefits that are the real purpose of the practice.
So, the trick is to first understand what makes a high-quality sports massage, then assess the options in your budget to find out which is the best option.
What to Expect from a High-Quality Sports Massage
First, a high-quality sports massage should be conducted in a professional setting – look for physiotherapy clinics and specialist sports massage centres. Avoid unspecialised establishments, like hotel spas, for example.
The sports massage therapists you see should also be qualified, educated, and (most importantly) experienced. Furthermore, sports massage therapists must practise what they preach, especially when they’re giving you advice on training, recovery and injury prevention. Your sports massage therapist must be someone you can talk through goals with – look for someone with deep knowledge and first-hand experience in your sport or activity.
Finally, the sports massage techniques shouldn’t focus on the short-term even if you’re only paying for a single session. The goal of sports massage is to apply long-term massage techniques to increase performance or prevent/recover from an injury. Whether you’re aching from working all week or prepping for a competitive event, choosing the highest quality sports massage for your budget will ensure you get the results you need.
Reasons to Avoid Cheap Sports Massage in London
The phrase “you get what you pay for” certainly applies to sports massage. So, here are three great benefits of opting for an award-winning clinic like One Body LDN!
Long-Term Solutions
Opting for longer sessions and frequent sessions with a sports massage therapist might cost more, but the benefits are twofold.
A single sports massage session with an expert may help:
- Prevent or reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
- Ease tense muscles, soreness and cramps.
- Boost blood circulation to enhance recovery, reducing pain and inflammation.
But opting for high-quality sports massage on a regular schedule (this is great both for fitness buffs and generally active individuals) has long term benefits too:
- Improve performance, relaxing and strengthening your muscles.
- Enhance awareness of your body, areas of weakness and strength.
- As a result, reduce the likelihood of incurring sports injuries.
Quality of Equipment and Environment
It is important that you feel comfortable when you get a sports massage or physiotherapy. So, paying for a better clinic provides:
- A clean and comfortable environment to wait, get changed, and receive the sports massage.
- No rush to get the session over or solve all your ailments quickly – a professional takes the time to promote balance and proper functioning (not just fix the surface issues).
- An easy-to-access location with flexible opening hours and session times.
At One Body LDN, our clinics also have state-of-the-art rehab hubs for injury recovery. In addition to sports massage, we also offer physiotherapy techniques which might include strength conditioning and training – services you won’t be offered by the cheap sports massage clinics in London.
Expensive Might Not Be That Expensive!
Lastly, one very important reason to not rule out any clinic due to the price of a session is simply because this might not be the price you pay.
Discounts for off-peak hours may mean that you can squeeze in a session on a work break or outside your usual nine-to-five to reduce costs. Another way your sports massage therapist might be able to save you some money is by booking multiple sessions into a schedule. Discount session bundles are a great way to reduce the cost while ensuring the sports massage is highly effective for the long-term.
And don’t forget, you might be able to get a free sports massage through your insurance!
How to Get a Free Sports Massage in London
While it’s generally true that the less you pay for a sports massage, the lower the quality of the service and expertise of the therapist; there is an exception. This simple exception could mean that you get sports massage therapy sessions for free, even in London.
The trick is to use corporate benefits or private health insurance. Just like physiotherapy and numerous other physical therapy practices, sports massage is accepted by many private health insurers. If you have health insurance or corporate health benefits with your employer, you can often use this to pay for sports massage too.
This means that the session (or sessions) you need are covered by the insurer or your employer, rather than requiring you to pay out of pocket. All you need to do is contact the insurer to discuss excesses and exclusions on your policy.
Book a Sports Massage in London with One Body Today!
Melt away tense muscles. Enhance your fitness journey. Ease away soreness. Or just let us massage out the kinks after a week hard at work. Sports massage at One Body LDN is perfect for soothing away any aches and pains, with a professional and highly rated expert.
Our sports massage therapists are also qualified physiotherapists – something you won’t find at just any clinic in London. As well as being over-qualified and trained, our experts are often specialised in particular techniques, practices and sports. All you have to do is choose an expert from our team and book your sports massage session at a time that’s convenient for you.
Did you know that we can bill all major UK insurance companies for your sports massage too? Learn more about using private insurance and corporate benefits for our sports massage in London today.
FAQs
What is the cheapest sports massage in London?
The cheapest sports massage sessions in London are around £30, increasing in price for longer sessions, peak times, and the reputation and experience of the clinic.
What does the average sports massage session cost in the UK?
The average for a single session is around £50. The exact cost depends on the clinic, as well as the therapist’s expertise and experience. You can often find great discounts by booking multiple sessions as a bundle. If you have health insurance, this can often cover the cost too.
Can private health insurance pay for a sports massage?
Yes! You can buy private health insurance to cover sports massage and physiotherapy, among other alternative medicines. Your corporate benefits package may also cover the cost of a sports massage.
How often should you get a sports massage?
This depends on your goals. A regular schedule may look like a weekly massage for training maintenance, or just massages pre- and post-event.
