Peak Performance

Soothing sports massages keep weekend warriors and hard-core athletes feeling fabulous

Site Staff Health & Wellness

Therapeutic treatments relieve muscle aches and promote limber joints.
Photo by Thinkstockphotos.com

Olympians, pro athletes, and rock stars always hit the performance trail with their favorite massage therapists on staff. And savvy weekend warriors who frequent the tennis courts, golf courses, and hiking trails in the Coachella Valley — especially after a bit of winter hibernation — know that a luxurious, targeted sports massage is the magic to soothe and smooth hyper-performing muscles.

So, play hard and play smart — book those tee times and tennis courts, then make time for a glorious massage at the end of the day. You’ll feel ahhh-mazing.

Therapists at All About Massage have been kneading the kinks out of BNP Paribas Open players since 2001, stationed in the locker rooms. Owners Masaru and Kelly Yamada supervise the blend of cross-fiber friction, trigger points, stretching, and deep-tissue work to address the specific needs of each athlete; they also bring that expertise to bear on mere mortals at their Palm Desert massage studio. 74125 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert. 760-346-7949; www.allaboutmassage.com

La Quinta’s Live Well Clinic and Kinetix Health and Performance Center in Palm Desert also specialize in pre- and post-event therapeutic sports massage, using pressure and stretching to pull out the tension, limber up the joints, and leave you feeling loose. Live Well, 78900 Ave. 47, Ste. 102, La Quinta. 760-771-5970; www.livewellclinic.org. Kinetix, 77804 Wildcat Dr., Palm Desert. 760-200-1719; kinetixcenter.com

For athletes whose mantra is “go all out or go home,” the sports massage at The Spa at Spa Resort Casino starts with a Mineral Immersion Treatment — steam, sauna, eucalyptus inhalation, private mineral bath, and a stop in the Tranquility Room — before going deep to target and treat stressed-out muscle groups. Add aromatherapy or a Cahuilla stone therapy enhancement for total bliss. 401 E. Amado Rd., Palm Springs. 760-778-1772; www.sparesortcasino.com

The Well at Miramonte Resort & Spa brings “Sticks and Stones” to the table, using birch wood sticks, warm basalt stones, and natural oils and plant extracts to replace tension with loose-as-a-goose relaxation. 45000 Indian Wells Ln., Indian Wells. 760-341-2200; www.miramonteresort.com

The Rancho Sports Conditioning Massage at Spa Las Palmas at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries, and prepares the body and mind for optimal performance. The experience includes traditional athletic massage techniques, Desert Elements aroma essences, and a gentle herbal pillow. It ends with refreshing warm towels on the feet. 41000 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage. 760-836-3106; www.rancholaspalmas.com

The therapeutic massage from Spa Esmeralda at Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells Resort & Spa is ideal after a vigorous session on the court or hiking trail, using deep pressure to help strained muscles bounce back and get ready for another challenge. 44400 Indian Wells Ln., Indian Wells. 760-836-1265; spaesmeralda.com

The Athletic Restoration massage at Agua Serena Spa at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa features locally made Aromax gel to help with sore muscles. This gentle and powerfully effective balm incorporates eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, clove, sweet orange, and chamomile for natural analgesic and muscle-relaxing benefits. 44600 Indian Wells Ln., Indian Wells. 760-341-1000; indianwells.hyatt.com