How to Become a Sports Massage Therapist in 6 Months (or Less)

learning20
Aug 18
5 min read

Are you passionate about sport, fitness, and helping people recover from injuries? A career as a sports massage therapist could be the perfect path for you — and the good news is, you don’t need to spend years retraining. With the right qualification, you could be working with clients, athletes, and sports teams in as little as six months.

At Holistic Therapies Training Academy in Devon, we specialise in fast-track, accredited sports massage training that gets you qualified quickly while giving you the hands-on skills, confidence, and support you need to succeed.

Why Choose Sports Massage Therapy?

Sports massage is a rewarding career where you’ll:

Progress to helping athletes recover from injuries.
Support everyday clients with aches, pains, and posture issues.
Enhance physical performance and prevent injuries.
Build a flexible, self-employed career, or work in gyms, clinics, or sports clubs.

Whether you’re a personal trainer looking to expand services, a career changer from the fitness industry, or someone starting fresh, sports massage therapy offers an exciting pathway.

The Fast-Track Route: Qualify in Just 6 Months

Our VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage is designed so you can:

Learn theory online at your own pace.
Gain essential practical skills in-person at our Bideford centre.
Build real confidence through case studies, practice days, and tutor support.

Because we teach in small groups with experienced tutors, you’ll get more personalised support than at a large college. Many of our students complete and start working with paying clients within six months.

Skills You’ll Develop

Sports massage isn’t just about techniques, it’s about becoming a confident, professional therapist. On our course you’ll learn:

✅ Anatomy and physiology for sports massage.
✅Principles of health and fitness.
✅ Understand the principles of soft tissue dysfunction.
✅ Professional practice in sports massage.
✅ Sports massage treatments.

Sports Massage Career Path Checklist 📝

Here’s a simple roadmap to becoming a qualified sports massage therapist with Holistic Therapies Training Academy:

Choose the right course – Start with the VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage (OfQual regulated qualification).
Get equipped – Invest in a massage couch, mediums (oils/wax), and study resources.
Train hands-on – Join us for practical training days in Devon.
Build experience – Complete case studies with friends, family, or gym clients.
Get insured – Student insurance first, then full therapist cover once qualified.
Start earning – Begin offering treatments (typically £35–£55 per session at Level 3).
Progress your career – Upskill with Level 4 Sports Massage, Dry Cupping, or Dry Needling.

Career Opportunities

With a Level 3 or 4 qualification, you could work in:

🏋️‍♀️ Gyms & fitness centres.
⚽ Sports teams & clubs (football, rugby, running, martial arts).
🏥 Rehab & physiotherapy clinics.
🏡 Private practice (home clinic or mobile).
🎓 Colleges & universities supporting student athletes.

Potential earnings:

Entry-level (Level 3): £35–£55 per treatment.
Advanced (Level 4+): £45–£75+ per treatment.
Private practice: Unlimited potential depending on your client base.

Why Choose Holistic Therapies Training Academy?

Unlike colleges, we keep classes small and personal. You’ll train with our expert tutor, Jason Ashton, who has over 35 years of experience in the sports industry as an ex-pro kickboxer and 5th Dan black belt and the owner of Zen Combat School, which is right next door to our training centre, so plenty of sports clients to work with and learn in a real sporting environment.

We offer:

✅ Flexible start dates (not tied to academic year).
✅ Blended learning (online + in-person).
✅ Progression pathways (Level 4 Sports Massage, CPD courses including Dry cupping therapy and Dry needling).
✅ Ongoing tutor and community support.

Student Success Stories for our sports tutor jason:

"I’ve had the best experience here the trainers are relaxed but professional they assist you as much as possible and go out of their way to make your learning experience fun, informative and professional highly recommend Holestic Therapies Training Academy you won’t regret it!" - M.M.

“I’ve just completed the Dry Needling and Dry Cupping course at Holistic Therapies Training Academy, and I couldn’t be more impressed. Very welcoming space to walk into. The course was incredibly well-structured, informative, and hands-on. Jason was knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly passionate about what he does. I left feeling confident and fully equipped to integrate these techniques into my practice. The balance of theory and practical work was spot on, and the supportive learning environment made all the difference. If you're considering adding these complimentary treatments to your skillset, I would highly recommend this course and the academy. A top-quality experience from start to finish!” – A.B.

“Thanks for your help and support today Jason for reg Lymphatic drainage massage training. It was informative and interesting. Thanks again.” – G.C.

"I recently completed a Dry Needling course with Jason at Holistic Therapies Training Academy. The course was informative and helpful. Both Jason and Karen are on hand post course for any further questions or advice. I would definitely recommend." - E.G.

"I had such a great time on my dry cupping course with Holistic Therapies. I was lucky enough to get 1:1 tuition from Jason, who is not only a fountain of knowledge, but imparts his wisdom in a concise way, making a complex subject easier to understand. The biggest compliment I can give Holistic Therapies though, is that they don’t just train you and then leave you to sink or swim like a lot of other training schools do - they encourage on-going communication with them, to ensure that you feel confident taking your new-found skill out in to the world, and applying it on your own clients. Thank you for a wonderful day, and for your support in helping me grow as a therapist! If I decide to do more training, I now know where to go without question!" - A.H.

"Just completed a Dry Needling Course - 2 days. I really enjoyed the experience. The tutor was amazing, completely hands on and full of relevant knowledge. Strongly recommended." - L.H.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

If you’re ready to change your career, expand your skills, and start earning as a qualified sports massage therapist in just six months, now is the time.

👉 Our next VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage starts Tuesday 2nd September in Bideford, Devon. Places are limited to keep training personal.

📩 Book your place today and take the first step toward your new career - CLICK HERE