Every year, in Dubai and the surrounding area, there seem to be more and more sporting events taking place, enticing us all to test our fitness. Gone are the days where there was just the one annual marathon to spike your interest…now there’s a race of some sort every weekend.<\/p>\n
Since January alone, I have taken part in the following:<\/p>\n
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- Wadi Bih Run in Oman<\/li>\n
- Jebel Jais mountain ride<\/li>\n
- Dubai Marathon<\/li>\n
- Abu Dhabi ITU Triathlon<\/li>\n
- Oceanic Triathlon Series in Khor Fakkan x2<\/li>\n
- Spartan Race<\/li>\n
- 2XU Triathlon in Mamzar Beach<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
So we all know where the races are…but what comes after? When you’re sore and tired! What\u2019s the best way to recover? Here are five very different treatments that can be used for sports recovery, or simply relaxation to de-stress.<\/p>\n
1. Zabeel Saray Talise Ottoman Spa<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe lowdown<\/h4>\n
The top hotels in Dubai that provide spa facilities do so very well, but Zabeel Saray is the stand out option (it even made the ultimate Dubai bucket list<\/a>). The relaxation begins with the drive out to the far side of the Palm, the end near JBR. You enter via the beautiful hotel down a marble corridor. There is a welcome room with arabic juice, dates and dried fruit, a light snack before your afternoon begins.<\/p>\n
Do a lap or two in the following order. Go to the jacuzzi first, it is in a small but beautifully decorated room, with small alcoves and medieval turkish art on the walls. Then go to the steam room, have some flavoured water outside afterwards, before going to the sauna. Then try the snow room. Yes, a room full of snow. After that walk down the corridor past the outdoor sanctuary to the sea water swimming pool and gently swim up and down. Repeat.<\/p>\n
The treatment<\/h4>\n
You will soon be called to the treatment area by one of the friendly turkish natives, who are experts in their field. They will take you into this stunning room, where you will lay on a large stone slap, looking up with a glass dome shaped roof.<\/p>\n
If you are going here, it\u2019s best to take one of the traditional turkish hammam or honey mask treatments. There is no point having a standard deep tissue massage when here as it defeats the purpose.<\/p>\n
The verdict<\/h4>\n
This isn\u2019t your natural sport recovery place to go to, but you will feel brand new afterwards and it isn\u2019t bad for muscle treatment either. Recommended for a break away every now and again. We recommend you make an afternoon out of it. Go about one o’clock, book the appointment for 3 or 4 PM, but use the facilities before hand.<\/p>\n
The cost<\/h4>\n
Price varies, but it\u2019s 475 AED for the traditional Turkish treatment and guests can use the facilities for free on top of that. For more, see their website here.<\/a><\/p>\n
The treatment room<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
<\/center><\/p>\n 2. Deep Tissue Massage<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nA sports massage by a trained physiotherapist is the most common and arguably most effective treatment for recovery after events. I met Bespoke Wellness as they provide massages at the open cycling sessions in Dubai Autodrome on Wednesday nights. Both Rhys and David are personable and knowledgeable on the subject matters.<\/p>\n
The treatment<\/h4>\n
Therapist can isolate specific areas in pain, help treat injuries and profile advice on training and further recover. A standard session will involved assessment and then deep tissue massage on that area. It will loosen up muscles and untangle tight knots, freeing the built up lactic acid that causes the pain. There are more advanced treatments such as needle therapy.<\/p>\n
The verdict<\/h4>\n
To treat a particular area of muscle pain, I went to David five times, and not only did this help me through a busy period of sporting events, it was also very educational, to help prevent strain in the future. Recommended<\/p>\n
The Cost<\/h4>\n
Each session is around 500 AED, but you can get a package of 5 sessions for 2,000 AED. For more, see the Bespoke Welness<\/a> website.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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