Post Workout Recovery Suggestions

Everyone has gone through the misery of aches and pains the day after a good workout. If you are trying to get into shape or find that you are consistently sore after your workout routine, then perhaps these recovery methods will be helpful. I have summarized a few articles that I believe are helpful in explaining the importance of proper recovery:

1. Warm Down or cooling down: means slowing down (not stopping completely) after exercise. Continuing to move around at a gentle, low intensity for at least 5 to 10 minutes after a workout has been proven to help remove lactic acid from your muscles and may reduce muscles stiffness.

2. Replace Fluids: fluid loss while exercising should be replaced during exercise, but ensuring rehydration after exercise is another easy way to boost your recovery. Water supports every metabolic function and nutrient transfer in the body and having plenty of water will improve every bodily function. 

3. Eat well: After depleting your energy stores with exercise, you need to refuel if you expect your body to recover, repair tissues, get stronger and be ready for the next workout. If you are performing endurance exercise day after day or trying to build muscle, you should try to eat within 60 minutes of the end of your workout and make sure you include some high-quality protein and complex carbohydrate

 4. Get lots of sleep: Sleep is essential for anyone who exercises regularly. During sleep, your body produces Growth Hormone (GH) which is largely responsible for tissue growth and repair. Quality restful sleep is essential to any balanced lifestyle.

I hope these tips are helpful for some of you. For more information on any one of these recovery factors, just follow the links.