How Soon After a Workout Should You Get a Massage?

You crushed your workout… now what?

You know that feeling. Muscles still buzzing, sweat drying on your skin, and your body teetering between “I’m a beast” and “I might not walk tomorrow.” So you think—should I get a massage? And more importantly, how soon is too soon?

Whether you’re trying to ease tight quads after a run or just not wake up like a human pretzel, timing matters.

The short answer? Sooner than you think.

You don’t have to wait until you’re hobbling to your desk the next morning. In fact, a massage shortly after your workout can help promote calm in your nervous system, ease post-exercise stiffness, and get you into a feel-good flow faster.

Some people like to wait 30–60 minutes to cool down and hydrate first, but there’s no rule saying you need to wait hours or days. Just listen to your body—and your calendar.

That’s where Aescape comes in. You can book a fully clothed, oil-free massage session directly from your phone—whether you're fresh off leg day or sneaking in a post-workout reset at Equinox or Life Time.

No stress, no mess, and no awkward convos about your weekend plans.

Why it’s worth acting before the soreness hits

You know how sometimes, the next day is when the soreness really creeps in? (Shoutout to delayed onset muscle soreness, aka DOMS.) A post-workout massage can help soften that blow by getting ahead of the stiffness before it fully sets in.

Think of it as a recovery assist:

• Your blood’s already flowing

• Your muscles are warm and receptive

• You’re mentally still in “go mode,” which makes relaxing feel earned

Plus, if you’re pairing your workouts with other self-care habits, a massage can be a powerful bridge between effort and ease. We’re big believers in that balance. (If you are too, this piece on how massage helps post-workout recovery might be your next read.)

Let us know you enjoyed this read by booking a massage and using code BLOG for $10 off your first session (30 minutes and up!). Wanna share your thoughts? We’d love to hear from you. Give us a shout at @LetsAescape on social!