Now that winter seems to be a distant memory, many people are taking advantage of the warmer weather by getting outside and getting into shape. With so many ways to get in shape in time for summer, you might also be getting into the swing of things with your own workout routine.
While working towards those longer, more intense gym sessions is a great goal, it is important to make sure that you are looking after your body. You won’t be able to achieve your fitness goals or reach the level of fitness that you want to if you aren’t paying particular attention to the recovery process.
If you have yet to place emphasis on your recovery post-workout, now is the time to do so. Cooling down and giving your body the chance to recover is just as important and your warmup and stretching routine before your workout.
Here are a few suggestions for how you can give your recovery the attention it deserves following a tough workout.
Don’t Ignore Pain
The first thing to note about your recovery process is the importance of listening to your body when it comes to pain. Even though you might have felt just fine throughout your workout, it isn’t uncommon for pain to become apparent once your heart rate comes down and your muscles relax.
Make sure that you pay particular attention to areas of discomfort or pain. You might need to spend some extra time stretching out muscles that are especially tight or even make use of pain relief following your workout. Balms that contain CBD for pain relief can be really beneficial for sore joints and muscles. You can also use heat and ice alternatively to help with your recovery process and ease aching muscles.
Hydrate
One of the most important things that you should do following your workout is to make sure that you are rehydrating your body properly. Water is by far the most significant component of any post-workout recovery routine.
While you should be sipping on water throughout your workout, you won’t want to have a stomach full of water while you are trying to focus on your exercises and movements. Rather, hydrating before and after your workout is essential to keeping your body going properly long after the workout has ended.
Compression
Many athletes and gymgoers have discovered the many benefits associated with using compression gear in their recovery. Compression involves placing a slight bit of pressure on muscles and joints following a workout in order to encourage circulation.
There are a number of products out there designed for such purposes. There are compression pants that will help to increase circulation in your legs and armbands as well. Make sure that the gear you choose fits properly and isn’t too tight. You should feel a slight pressure as opposed to squeezing. Too much pressure can be counterproductive and even harmful.
Wearing your compression gear for a little while after your workouts can really help to keep your muscles and joints healthy.
