After Workout Fitness Tips

Introduction

Staying fit is incredibly beneficial for our physical and emotional well-being. It’s no surprise more people include regular exercise into their schedules to better themselves and their bodies.

Not only does regular exercise help with weight loss and body image, but exercise can improve our immunity, cardiovascular health and reduce our susceptibility to illness and disease. Consequently, exercise improves our longevity.

Regular exercise is one of the best mood boosters since it increases endorphins in the brain. That way, it can help reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. It also provides us with time and space for self-care and distracts us from the mental to-do lists that run around our heads most days.

It’s important to remember that exercise doesn’t stop when you finish your class or routine. We should take a handful of steps to care for our bodies post-exercise to maintain optimum health and avoid exercise-induced injury.

Top 5 Post-Workout Fitness Tips

If you’re looking to get back in action fast, here’s a list of the top five post-workout recovery tips.

Cool Down

When you work hard during exercise, your body temperature naturally rises, and your blood vessels widen to improve your blood circulation. However, you may feel light-headed or dizzy if you bring exercise to an abrupt end without giving yourself a cool-down period. For example, it’s advised to end the activity with a slow walking pace for a few minutes to help your body recuperate. Your body needs this time to regulate itself and return to normal.

Stretch and Shower

After you exercise, your muscles are warm and consequently have more elasticity. Therefore, it’s an excellent opportunity to stretch and lengthen. However, it will also help accelerate your recovery process and decrease muscle soreness.

Another tip for muscle care post-workout would be taking a cool shower. Reduce the water temperature slightly, and you can help relieve muscle inflammation. Interestingly, CFAH.org describes how CBD can be used to alleviate the symptoms of muscle spasms and muscle inflammation that can often occur in response to exercise or poor recovery time.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration should be at the top of your priorities throughout and post-exercise. Your body is made of approximately 60% water, and your body loses water during exercise. Water will help maintain your muscle flexibility and strength, and how much you need will vary depending on your exercise performance. While many people opt for a sports drink, it’s much better to stick with water to avoid the sugars and unnecessary calories. Unless, of course, you’ve had a long, intense workout. You don’t necessarily need a sports drink as these

Eat a Healthy Protein Snack

It is counterproductive to indulge in junk food after exercise as you gain back the calories you’ve just worked so hard to burn. Instead, many people try to maximise their increased metabolism post-exercise by fuelling their bodies with healthy protein-rich snacks or a protein shake. Watch out for more convenience fitness foods, as these may be loaded with unwanted sugars and calories – keep it simple.

Recovery Time

Recovery time is different from a cool down. A cool down is time given to your body straight after exercise; recovery time refers to healing and repair time given to your body between exercise sessions. If you want to exercise every day, you can mix up your workouts, so you’re using different sets of muscles on other days. It will help you avoid over-exercising the same muscles and potential injuries from that.

The Takeaway

Post workout recovery is an important part of a healthy gym lifestyle and there are plenty of ideas to go around. These alternative methods can help your body recover quicker and have your muscles operating at peak performance.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.