If you are the type of person who loves to get your sweat on at the gym and push yourself to your limits, you are very likely no stranger to the aches and pains that can set in within 24-48 hours after an intense workout. While such aches are a good indication that you have accomplished a great deal of work, they can also be tough to deal with. Moreover, tight muscles are more prone to injury, meaning that your next workout might not be as productive as you want it to be.
Thankfully, there are a number of measures you can take in order to facilitate a faster, more effective recovery for your body. After all of the work that you demand of your body while you are building and striving to be your best self, it deserves the very best in recovery.
Here are a few pointers that will help you to properly handle the recovery process after an intense workout.
Table of Contents
Get the Right Gear
There is an entire sector of the health and fitness industry that is dedicated to helping athletes and those who like to push themselves at the gym recover properly from hard workouts. The recovery stage is so important for your muscles and your joints as it is where you allow your body to rebuild and avoid injury and strain. You can choose from a variety of products that can aid in recovery, although you should certainly opt for ones that are backed by science.
For instance, compression socks such as those found at ShopGo2.com are proven to assist in the recovery process. This is because they help to promote circulation throughout your muscles. Increasing your circulation will help to loosen up your muscles and provide them with the additional blood flow that they need to recovery fully. There are compression clothes that can help particularly target a specific area, or ones that offer full coverage and support.
Don’t Neglect Your Cooldown
After an intense workout, your active recovery should start as soon as you are done with a full and complete cooldown. Allow your hear trate to come down and stretch out your entire body. As you do so, do your best to connect your breathing to your movements, as you will achieve a deeper stretch and help to bring your heart rate back down to normal more quickly.
Furthermore, make sure that you carry out a full warm-up before you start your next workout. This will help ensure that your muscles and joints are prepared for another intense session.
Refuel Your Body
One of the most important aspects of your recovery involves the method in which you refuel your body. You need to ensure that you consume the right amount of protein and carbohydrates following a workout, starting within the first 30 minutes after you finish.
Hydration is also an important part of your recovery. When you work out, your body loses a great deal of water. You will need to replenish your muscles and joints in order to allow them to recover properly.
