The slow part after a run, gym session or ride is the half hour where you stop moving and let things settle. A simple way to spend it: wait about 45 minutes before showering, sit on the floor with a cupping massager on your shoulders and legs, glide with a little oil, put some music on and stretch however feels good.
It is not a training plan. It is just a nicer way to end a session than going straight to the phone.
Why the slow part is worth having
Most of us are good at starting a workout and bad at finishing one. You stop, grab your bag, and the day carries on at full speed. The session ends, but nothing in your body or head has been told.
A short wind-down fixes that. It gives you a defined last step, the same way a warm-up gives you a first one. It also gives the end of a session something to look forward to.
Timing and the shower
The manual for the RHYTIA smart cupping massager says to wait about 45 minutes before a shower after using it. So the order that works is this.
- Finish the session and drink some water.
- Change into dry, loose clothes.
- Do the wind-down below, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wait out the 45 minutes, with a snack and a stretch.
- Shower.
If you would rather shower straight after a run, that is fine. Do the wind-down later in the evening instead. It does not need to follow the session by a set time.
Setting up
- Somewhere with floor space and a mat or towel
- Your cupping massager, charged and cordless
- A body oil, or well-moisturised skin
- A playlist or a podcast
- A glass of water
Keep the warmth on low and the suction at level 1 or 2 to start. Start lower than you think you need, and go up from there.
The wind-down, step by step
Shoulders first
Sit on the floor with your back against the couch. Put the large cup flat on the top of one shoulder in rhythmic cupping mode and rest it there for a minute. Press the release button before you lift it, then do the other side.
This is where most people start, because it is easy to reach and you can do it by yourself.
Legs next
Stretch your legs out. Put a little oil on the outside of your thigh, switch to continuous gliding and use the textured gliding cup. Move slowly, in long strokes, and keep it moving. Go up one leg and down the other.
If you stop in one place, the cup will grip, so lower the suction or keep sliding. Avoid the backs of the knees and any varicose veins.
Try it at home
Cordless, three cups, a warm red glow and a travel pouch for the gym bag. Free shipping Australia-wide, 14-day refund.
Shop the RHYTIA massagerThen slow down on the floor
Put the device down and stay on the floor. A few slow stretches, whichever ones you like. Nothing needs to be held for a set time. Breathe out, let your head hang, roll your shoulders back.
Add music
Pick something with no urgency. People use anything from lo-fi to old records to a favourite album with the lights low. Skip the playlist you train to.
A sample 20 minutes
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| 0 to 2 min | Water, dry clothes, music on |
| 2 to 6 min | One shoulder, rhythmic cupping, then the other |
| 6 to 8 min | Swap to the gliding cup, add oil |
| 8 to 15 min | Glide across each leg, slow and steady |
| 15 to 20 min | Stretch on the floor, wipe the cup, switch off |
The device switches off by itself after 20 minutes, which suits this routine well.
What it feels like
Rhythmic cupping feels like a soft pulse that rises and falls. Gliding feels like a slow, steady pull as the cup moves across oiled skin. The warmth is gentle, and the warm red glow makes the corner of the room feel calm.
Light pink or reddish round marks can appear where the cup sat. They are a normal skin response to suction and usually fade on their own within a few days. Keep the suction low and keep the cup moving to keep them lighter. If you do a lot of weekly sessions, give the same spot a day or two before cupping it again.
See cupping marks explained for more, and the best oil for cupping massage if you want to choose one.
Compared with a massage gun
A massage gun is loud, percussive and quick. This is quiet and slow. Different jobs. Some people keep both, one for the gym bag before a session and one for the floor afterwards. We wrote a straight comparison: cupping massager vs massage gun.
Where not to use it
Keep it off the face, the front of the neck, near the heart, broken or irritated skin, moles, varicose veins and sunburn. Not for children. If you are pregnant, have a pacemaker or another implanted device, have a health condition or take blood thinners, check with your GP before using a cupping massager.
Common questions
When can I shower after using a cupping massager?
Wait about 45 minutes after your session. If you would rather shower straight after exercise, do the wind-down later.
Can I use it right after a workout?
Yes, on a low setting. Many people wait until they have cooled down and changed clothes. Start with 30 to 60 seconds on one area.
Do I need oil for the legs?
For gliding mode, yes. Use body oil or moisturised skin and keep the cup moving.
Can I take it to the gym?
It is about 9 × 9 × 8 cm and comes with a travel pouch, so it fits in a gym bag or carry-on.
How often can I use it?
The manual suggests giving the same spot a day or two before cupping it again, so rotate between shoulders and legs.
RHYTIA is a massager for general relaxation and comfort. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.