Tools For Effective Workout Recovery
Our body is a temple, and its well-being determines our quality of life. We often need to remember to listen to our bodies and give them the proper attention due to a lack of time, information, or energy.
As a fitness enthusiast or athlete, recovery can and should be an ever-growing aspect of your workout and recovery routine. Research shows, for example, that regular exercise places tremendous stress on the neuromuscular system and can lead to injury, burnout, and poor performance without adequate recovery between sessions.1
Therefore, knowing how to care for our body and being consistent is necessary, especially after physical activity.
These are some simple and time-efficient essential tools for adequate recovery:
1. Creatine.
If you’re just beginning to incorporate recovery into your fitness routine and would like extra support, there are supplements you can take. Creatine helps ensure you have enough of the essential protein-building amino acid in your system and supports workout recovery when taken over time with exercise.
2. Foam Roller.
Foam rollers reduce muscle tension, eliminate muscle knots, and increase flexibility. Studies show foam rolling can increase joint range of motion and decrease muscle soreness after intense exercise.2
3. Stretching.
A brief stretch at the end of any physical activity is vital to relax muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Yoga mats may be a helpful accessory and provide extra support and cushion when a regular floor may be too hard against your muscles.
4. Massage Gun.
Massage guns allow you to apply targeted pressure and therapeutic vibration to any part of your body on the go. It relieves muscle pain and fatigue and feels like having a masseuse in the comfort of your home.
5. Epsom Salts
These salts contain magnesium and offer multiple therapeutic benefits. They help prevent pain, especially in injured or inflamed areas. Try soaking in an Epsom salt bath after intense exercise to relieve muscle pain and tension.
It is important to remember that everyone’s body recovers differently and will respond to each one of these tools uniquely. Factors such as the intensity of a routine or lifestyle are essential when deciding what your body may need to function at its best both in and outside the gym. Listen to your body and adjust your recovery strategy according to your needs to treat or prevent injury and give your body what it needs.
Sources:
- https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Abstract/2004/08000/Maximize_Recovery.16.aspx
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637917/
