Hart Sport Therapy

Hello! Welcome to the Hart Sport Therapy page.

I am Ellie Hartshorne, and I am a qualified Sport and Exercise Therapist based at ION BODY, garforth.

I am currently offering a range of sports massage treatments, but don’t let the word ‘sports’ fool you. ANYONE can benefit from a sports massage. Whether you’re a runner, daily gym-goer, cyclist, swimmer, or if you simply enjoy walking the dog, doing some gardening and keeping moving, a sports massage may be calling your name.

Sports massage helps improve mobility and flexibility by reducing muscle tension, easing tightness and promoting better movement through the joints. It is not just beneficial for post-exercise recovery; it can also play an important role in maintaining everyday mobility, flexibility and muscular health. By reducing muscle tension, easing tightness and improving soft-tissue mobility, it can help alleviate stiffness caused by prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, poor posture or daily physical demands. Regular sports massage can support a greater range of motion, improve movement efficiency and help the body feel less restricted, making it beneficial for both active individuals and those simply looking to move more comfortably in everyday life.

Monday and Tuesday: 8:00 am- 4:00 pm

Wednesday and Thursday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 8:00 am  – 1:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

From a very young age, I have been involved in sport. Aikido and gymnastics being my two favourites. Spending nearly every day after school at either gymnastics or Aikido, I was very aware of the impact physical activity and sport can have on our bodies. Knowing this, I realised I wanted a career in which I could help people, athletes or not.

From the age of 6 and growing up, my daily routine was waking up, school, gymnastics/aikido, sleep, for years on end. I was lucky enough to be selected to train on the women’s elite development pathway at Leeds Gymnastics Club for approximately 6 years before transitioning to festival gymnastics. During high school, I was part of the club’s prestigious display squad, where we travelled both nationally and internationally, representing GBR to perform and showcase non-competitive, festival gymnastics. A few years on, I can now proudly say I coach the current display squad and take the group all over the country to perform at events and festivals.

Alongside gymnastics, the martial art Aikido has always been an integral part of my life, and I believe it has shaped me into who I am today. From starting at the age of 5, to becoming junior national champion at 8,9,10,11 years old, to becoming junior European champion at 12, and then finally achieving my black belt and becoming 1st Dan at the age of 16, feels really incredible. My dad is the person who guided me through it all. And now, at 21, we run Yon Ju Hachi Aikido Club, here in Garforth, together. I really believe we have built something special.

Fast-forward a few years through school and college, I applied to Leeds Beckett University to do sport and exercise therapy. University was a huge learning curve for me; learning to juggle a part-time job coaching gymnastics alongside my studies was difficult… but so worth it.

Throughout university, I gained valuable experience within the university’s massage and injury clinic, learning how to treat patients and develop communication skills. I also had the incredible opportunity to spend a rugby season alongside the Leeds Rhinos U19 girls academy. Throughout my time there, I was able to provide massages + injury treatment, alongside delivering rehabilitation programmes and pitch-side injury management.

Fast-forward again to July 2026 when I finally graduated with a 2:1 in Sport and Exercise Therapy BSc (Hons). This degree proudly displays my detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology, alongside injury maintenance and management techniques. I have also completed modules taking a deeper dive into Strength and conditioning, Contemporary health issues, clinical decision-making, and Rehabilitation and Exercise prescription, to name a few.

In the midst of summer and worrying about whether I would have a job to go to after university, I took a HUGE leap and said, ‘I’m going to build my own sport therapy business’.

… So here we are! I am so proud of how far Hart Sport Therapy has grown in the short space of time it has been running, however I can’t wait to see how it progresses and I can only hope to continue helping people every day.