Treat Yo Self: Athlete Edition

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Spa treatments and salons are generally associated with the fairer sex. And for those men who suck it up and awkwardly peruse back issues of Cosmopolitan while waiting patiently for their massages and manicures, they don’t tend to brag about it on social media. 

Professional athletes are the exception to that rule, however.

Physical wear and tear is an unavoidable hazard of the job. Sore muscles, achy backs and busted-up hands and feet are pretty much standard. Which is why so many athletes are all too willing to buck traditional gender stereotypes and treat themselves. 

Athletes don’t have to worry about proving their manhood—most have a regular opportunity to do that on a national stage in whatever sport they play. And since they don’t have to worry—or simply just don’t care—about that kind of nonsense, they’re more than happy to bring us along for the ride via social media. 

Here are some of the countless athletes that encourage you to: Treat Yo Self. 

Instagram ID: @bigbake92

Caption: Had to take care of my boys today they took care of me

Redskins nose tackle Chris Barker says he’s taking care of his feet here, but it looks like he’s punishing them for betraying him. Perhaps having plastic bags tied to your feet is more enjoyable than it looks, though. 

Instagram ID: @ired33

Caption: Hot bath to get the legs loose for MNF!!

Since running back Isaac Redman is currently unemployed, perhaps a hot bubble bath wasn’t enough to get his legs limbered up before games. 

Instagram ID: @greenranger14

Caption: Body day #massage

The Spurs’ Danny Green’s season is typically about two months longer than most other players in the NBA, so he’s gotta find a way to stay loose and relaxed. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working. 

Instagram ID: @colinmc52

Caption: Taking care of my feet.. A little pedicure 

Titans linebacker Colin McCarthy doesn’t just take care of himself at the spa, he takes care of his mom, too. McCarthy got mom her very own spa day for her birthday this year. 

Instagram ID: @ohgi_3dawg3

Caption: I hate this part! 

Can’t blame Cowboys cornerback B.W. Webb for hating here! Nobody likes sitting under the old lady hair dryers at the salon—except for old ladies. A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, though. 

Instagram ID: @moneymase8

Caption: The homie @moneymase8 getting that good treatment as well in the cut. Like he said #HappyFeet 

Earlier this year, Heat superstar LeBron James posted this photo of teammate Roger Mason getting the works—a simultaneous pedicure and neck massage. That’s the good stuff. 

Instagram ID: @weatherford5

Caption: Do you think any other Bayonne HS seniors are using ‘Just for Men’ before prom tonight? Well, when your going to prom at 31 years old. You gotta do hat you gotta do. #DontJudgeMe

Giants punter Steve Weatherford recently got his hair did for prom. Not only did he take one lucky lady to her high school prom, but he also treated 20 New Jersey students who couldn’t afford the cost of the event, giving them a night they would never forget. 

Instagram ID: @tylawson3

Caption: Pedicure thuggin

Sometimes, I wonder if professional athletes even remember what "thuggin'" means after awhile in the big leagues. Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson must get his pedis at the OG salon and spa in Denver. 

Instagram ID: @connorbarwin98

Caption: Yes!!! Playing in Detroit on Thanksgiving! And my hair is back!

Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin’s high maintenance hair makes him a salon regular in Philly. He doesn’t stop there, though, as Barwin comes for the haircut but stays for the pedicure. 

Instagram ID: @jasonkipnis22

Caption: First time having makeup put on for the @Pepsi shoot! #pepsi #idontenvywomen #rolloutofbedandgo 

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis learned a little bit about what the ladies go through on a daily basis when he had to get his hair and makeup done for a recent Pepsi shoot. 

Instagram ID: @jharrison9292

Caption: Getting cleaned up at #kut-n-up

You didn’t really expect to see linebacker James “If [Roger Goodell] was on fire and I had to p*ss to put him out, I wouldn’t do it” Harrison getting a mani-pedi at a salon, did you? For this guy, “treat yo self” means a utilitarian trim at the local barber. 

Instagram ID: @domonicbrown

Caption: Pedicure 

Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown worked that pedicure all the way up to his knees. 

Instagram ID: @rileycooper_14

Caption: Sauna 

Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper gives his offseason aches and pains the sauna treatment. And he gives his ingrown toenails this treatment—if he’s soaking his feet in chocolate sauce, well, then chocolate is ruined forever. 

Instagram ID: @easymoneysniper 

Caption: Pedi time, Real men get their feet done 

Thunder superstar Kevin Durant isn’t kidding about setting aside some quality time for his barking dogs—pedicures are a very regular event for him. 

Instagram ID: @dontestallworth

Caption: The absolute WORST part of getting my locks retwisted! @scissorhappy75

Former NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth’s words may say he’s not enjoying himself under that old lady hair dryer, but he doesn’t look terribly displeased by the situation. In fact, he looks pretty amused. 

Instagram ID: @sterlingmoore

Caption: Gotta take care of them money makers!

Cowboys defensive back Sterling Moore makes time for his money makers—on the regular. 

Instagram ID: @imseanavery

Caption: [no caption]

Considering retired Rangers agitator Sean Avery somehow managed to convince this stunning woman to marry him, it’s no wonder he is always trying his best to keep himself together. 

Instagram ID: @0ne0fone

Caption: Gettin my feet rubbed down after a long day !! It pays off 2 have ur body in great condition the way we Training !! 

Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson is known for his speed on the football field. As long as his feet are good to him, he’s gonna be good to them. Lord knows he’s not going to get by on size alone. 

Instagram ID: @dangerrusswilson

Caption: My new hairdo to help raise awareness for #Diabetes. Research says 1 in 3 Americans by 2050 #bespectacular @sportsspec 

Reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson is such a ridiculously amazing human being that even when he’s treating himself at the salon, he’s doing it for charity. 

Instagram ID: @joshcribbs16

Caption: Oh Yesss… a day at the spa, at the mercy of @maria_ria_riri she did an awesome job pampering me… I love her #ambition & her #hustle 

NFL free agent Josh Cribbs goes big at the spa before he goes home. Not too many men would brag about getting a facial, but obviously Cribbs is comfortable enough with his masculinity to do just that. 

Instagram ID: @loganc89

Caption: Quick foot massage before the game. Let’s gooooo

Sharks center Logan Couture does the bare minimum to treat his barking dogs. There’s just something unsettling about those mechanical foot massagers; they’re very unsettling. 

Instagram ID: @king_sanu_12

Caption: So lovely…

Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu doesn’t need to go to the spa to treat himself. A nice, hot bubble bath at home is an economical way to unwind. 

Instagram ID: @kennybritt18

Caption: Getting that good haircut .. For the night …S/O to my barber @jd_barber 

Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt’s hairline and facial hair are always right on point, thanks to the hard work of his trusted barber. It takes a village. 

Instagram ID: @jharden13

Caption: Manicure Thuggin.

The Rockets bearded one is wrong on both counts: First, that’s not a manicure; it’s a pedicure. Second, that’s not thuggin'; it’s the exact opposite of thuggin'. 

Instagram ID: @chan95jones

Caption: Had a great time with @Nike today! #ads #campaign #photoshoot #videoshoot

Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones didn’t seem to mind getting his makeup done for a recent Nike shoot. Even if you don’t wear makeup, sometimes it’s nice having people fawn over your face a little.

Instagram ID: @dockett90

Caption: Maaaaaaaaannnn listen…. Them fingers go through that 2nd toe from the baby one I be like 

At least Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett knows there’s nothing "thug" about getting his toes tended to. You can always count on D.D. to own it—ain’t no shame in his game. 

Instagram ID: @lindseyvonn

Caption: Aaahh I feel so much better! #lovegettingmynailsdone #whatgirlslove

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn thinks getting nails done is something that girls love, but if there’s anything we’ve learned from this list, it’s that the boys love it, too. 

Instagram ID: @rlcobb18

Caption: My off day- Yoga & Elbows!! #ThePainIsReal 

Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is getting a massage here, so you’d think he’d look a little more relaxed. Instead, it looks like someone’s burning his back with cigarettes. I suppose there’s a fine line between pleasure and pain. 

Instagram ID: @floydmayweather 

Caption: Me and @justinbieber getting first class treatment at the @bigboymansion www.themoneyteam.com 

Boxer Floyd Mayweather doesn’t just treat himself and BFF Justin Bieber to spa days; from the looks of this photo, it looks like the whole Money Team gets to treat they self, too. They don’t call him “Pretty Boy Floyd" for nothing. 

Instagram ID: @realpacman24

Caption: Relax 

You probably wouldn’t know it by looking at him, but Bengals cornerback Adam Jones always makes time for a massage, which is sometimes followed by a nice relaxing soak in a hot tub. Anything that keeps him out of strip clubs is a good thing. 

Instagram ID: @ayobaby11

Caption: Every big person needs one of these !!! I love it Ayo so fresh and so clean 

Clippers forward Glen Davis enjoys the simple things in life, like the added level of clean offered by a bidet. Apparently, big folks have some trouble in this area. 

Instagram ID: @antrelrolle 

Caption: How do women put up with this sh*t??? Lol. 

Giants safety Antrel Rolle asks how women put up with foil during hair coloring, but it looks like he’s doing a pretty good job handling the whole situation. The ball cap on top is a very nice touch. 

Instagram ID: @marte06

Caption: Jodiendo un poco @noeliamarte 

Pirates left fielder Starling Marte enjoyed quite the spa day last year. Although coating your skin in several layers of wax doesn’t sound particularly relaxing, apparently it’s quite good for it. Marte also got some serious exfoliation treatments. 

Instagram ID: @ndamukong_suh

Caption: Gota get the feet right for #Hawaii #Suhsquad #ProBowl #GotaLoveAGoodPedi

Of all the athletes that make pedicures a regular part of their lives, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh definitely looks the most foreign in that chair. It’s such a sharp contrast to the beastly persona he’s cultivated on the football field over the last few years.