Contrary to popular opinion, what you do when you are not working in the gym is important. In fact, this post workout time is a crucial component of your overall workout cycle or pattern. It you plan to get the most out of your entire program, you need to know how to speed up your post workout recovery. Consider the following tips as a brief guideline.
Nutrition and Diet
Never forget the old adage “You are what you eat.” Remember this applies to what you eat before and after. Of vital importance, most experts agree, is including potassium in your post-workout drink or meal. Consider eating a banana. Another option is mashed potatoes. These will help you refuel.
Talk to your trainer about what food, vitamins, minerals and other vital ingredients you need to consume in solid or liquid form to help you speed up your post workout recovery.
Exercise
You do not improve your post workout recovery time by doing nothing. Even if you decide to take an entire day off from your routine, you need to do some form of relaxing exercise. Stretching is one excellent way to promote circulation and prevent your body from tensing up. Above all, avoid any high-power exercises. Consider gentle movements such as those of called “active recovery.”
You should take a walk or hike. You can ride a bike – not power ride but ride gently. Get out and toss a ball or Frisbee around. Grab a friend or your dog and go for a walk in a park. This will keep your muscles and tendons loose and be relaxing to your mind as well. If you do experience muscle tension, consider using a foam-roller. Your trainer or workout friends can suggest a specific type.
Sleep
No matter how you look at it one way to speed up your post workout recovery is to get enough sleep. This is one of the most effective means of achieving this goal. The minimum amount generally recommended is the proverbial eight-hours. Sleep is downtime, but it is essential if you want to restore your body. This applies to both its physical and mental capabilities. Simply put. If you do not get enough sleep, you will not be able to recover sufficiently and regain the physical and mental strength you require to continue your goal of a fit and healthy body.
Stress
Stress may be good. You stress yourself when you work out. However, if you suffer from chronic stress, you will interfere with your daily life let alone your workout recovery. Work to reduce or remove the stress from your life. Alleviating this is one way to speed up your recovery time.
How to Speed Up Your Post Workout Recovery
No matter what goal you have, it is always important to consider your recovery following a workout. Whether you are planning to take a complete day off or are considering your options, it is important to understand the basics. In order to get the most out of your time spent improving your physical being, you need to know how to speed up your post workout recovery – the two are inextricably linked.
