How do I become a sports massage therapist?

This is the all-important question that current or aspiring fitness professionals should ask and the first step would be to enrol on to a sports massage course. For those at the entry-level, you'll need the Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage in order to be fully qualified and practise as a massage therapist. If you're already Level 3 qualified then the Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage is a great way to expand your knowledge, increase your client base and tackle more advanced injuries and conditions. With HFE you're free to take a step by step approach and do these massage courses individually. We also offer the option of our sports massage career packages and this is how you truly set yourself up for success in the industry. Not only will you get the qualifications you need but you'll also benefit from a range of extras and exclusives including job opportunities via CV Connect , 12 month's worth of career support and discounts on Songbird massage to help you get started. To give you a greater sense of the exciting world of sports massage therapy, we've created an in-depth article exploring massage qualification, employment opportunities, and salary and pay. Learn more with our become a sports massage therapist guide.

Do you run sports massage courses near me?

We certainly do and this means nothing will stand of the way of you achieving your sports massage qualification. In order to offer the most flexibility and choice possible, our sports massage courses utilise the blended learning model. This involves a period of home study which incorporates access to our online student platform LES (the Learner Engagement System), revising from your bespoke manuals and access via phone and email to your personal support tutor. During this time, you'll also experience practical training at a leading health and fitness facility in the UK. Our current flagship venues are in Manchester , Birmingham , London and Cardiff . A full list of venues, information about facilities and accessibility, as well as travel directions, can be found on our sports massage venues and locations page.

What conditions can you treat with sports massage?

Sports massage is highly effective at treating soft tissue injuries and dysfunction. It's this broad application that keeps massage therapists well employed and allows them to help a wide variety of people in a range of situations. A few commonly occurring injuries are shin splints, tennis elbow , rotator cuff impingement, plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Our Level 3 sports massage course is designed to educate you about these various conditions and most importantly, will empower you to diagnose the condition and deliver an effective plan of action for treatment. With the Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage , you'll take your sports massage training literally to the next level and learn a broader range of techniques including how to assess posture, improve joint alignment and recognise muscle imbalances.

What opportunities are available after I complete my course?

As soon as you complete one of our sports massage courses, you'll unlock CV Connect within LES. This game-changing platform directly connects you with the country's biggest active leisure employers including Pure Gym, David Lloyd, JD Gyms, Life Fitness, Nuffield Health and hundreds more. All you need to do is polish and upload your CV, select the employers you'd like to work with and that's it. We'll pass your CV along and if employers like what they see, they'll contact you directly. The freelance, self-employed route is also incredibly viable. As a qualified therapist, you could set up your own practice or clinic or work for an existing establishment. There's also a great demand for therapists to assist with competitive athletic events, such as marathons, triathlons and even Ironman. If you'd like a comprehensive round-up of the opportunities available to you once you've completed your sports massage training, we've created this guide to sports massage jobs that's well worth a read.

Do I need any prior qualifications?

One of the many appealing aspects of a career in massage therapy is that there are no formal entry requirements for our Level 3 sports massage course. Essentially, everything you need to set you up for a successful career will be taught to you on course and provided in our learning materials. It would be desirable if you did possess a Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification (either Gym or Exercise to Music), but it's by no means a deal-breaker. To enrol on to the Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage, you'll need to have already completed sports massage at Level 3. Our team of expert support tutors are here to help you, regardless of your prior experience or knowledge.

What type of support can I expect while studying sports massage?

We pride ourselves on delivering learner support without limits for our sports massage courses. Firstly, our Learner Engagement System has been built from the ground up with you in mind. You'll find a wealth of practice quizzes and innovative video lectures to guide you. This system is available 24 hours a day, 7-days a week and it can be accessed from any browser or device. When you enrol you'll be assigned a dedicated support tutor. From Monday to Friday, they'll be available via email or phone to answer questions, guide your learning and hone your sports massage knowledge. This support is flexible, so it can be on an ad hoc basis or you'll be able to book in regular calls. The important thing to remember is that you're never on your own when you're studying with HFE.

Sports Massage Courses and Qualifications Near You

Master

£2575

Sports Massage

Accelerate your learning and development with our combined Level 3 and Level 4 Master Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy. Discover the latest scientific evidence around injury prevention, rehabilitation, soft tissue dysfunction and massage therapy. Level 4 status is required to work with clients that have soft tissue injury or dysfunction.

Qualifications:

Our Master Sports Massage package includes both qualifications featured below to give you one of the most comprehensive sports massage education programmes. These qualifications are both awarded by YMCA Awards and are fully endorsed by CIMSPA, giving your achievements international recognition. These programmes are also fully endorsed by the Sports Massage Association.

Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy
Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy

Key content:

Just some of the content and subjects included in this programme are listed below:

Musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology
Pathophysiology of common injuries and soft tissue dysfunction
Musculoskeletal testing, including advanced special tests
Extensive range of soft tissue massage therapy techniques
Use of medications for injury and dysfunction
Myofascial release and connective tissue treatments
Treatment planning for clients with soft tissue dysfunction
Posture, gait, and dynamic movement analysis

Future employment:

On completion of this programme, you’ll be able to treat clients privately, or secure employment in any professional sports massage environment. This might include, but not limited to sports therapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy type clinics, as well as providing pre and post-event massages to athletes participating in sporting events (e.g. marathons, triathlons).

It’s important to underline the fact that you’ll only be able to provide treatments to clients with soft tissue injuries and dysfunction if you complete the Level 4 Diploma in Sports massage Therapy. Level 3 qualifications are designed only to facilitate and support athletic performance; not treat clients.

As a HFE graduate, you will also get access to our CV connect. This will allow you to connect your CV directly with all of the major health and fitness employers in the UK.