Anyone who has spent any real amount of time following a workout regime is going to have some idea of how important the recovery is. Improper recovery will not only leave you feeling sore for longer. It can reduce the effectiveness of your workouts and even result in injury. So every time you work out, it’s good to have an aftercare plan set up. But what’s yours? Are you sure that you’re doing all you can to make your post-workout as painless as possible?
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Protein
This is perhaps the most important and widely touted benefit of protein. Not only can it result in a more comfortable recovery. It’s also the key to rebuilding and repairing muscles, resulting in muscle growth. The benefits of protein in recovery are why we have so many great recipes to ensure you get enough in your system. Make sure you’re taking as much protein supplements on top of as well as in your diet. Even if you’re not looking for mass, it’s a great way to speed recovery.
Hydration
It’s a tip for just about everything health and fitness related. But there’s a good reason that water is the miracle food everyone keeps looking for. In terms of post-workout recovery, hydrating replaces sweat lost during workouts. Working out without sufficient hydration can lead to vomiting and the need to receive IV hydration from a doctor. So, make sure you hydrate plenty. This especially goes for those who are doing particularly hard regimes involving one intense workout session after the next. It will also help you avoid things like post-workout migraines.
Stretches
It’s important for all of us that we don’t just jump into a workout without the proper warm-ups and stretches. It’s just as important after we finish a workout, too. Stretches make sure all your joints and muscles are limber after being stuck in a certain position for so long. Neglecting to stretch is one of the easiest ways to get yourself suffering from a workout related injury. It causes your limbs to seize up, which limits movement and comfort at the very best. At worst, it can prevent proper recovery in muscle groups.
Destressing your muscles
During a workout, you will undoubtedly suffer a lot of muscle strain. That’s part of building them up, of course. However, if you don’t take care of them after, it can cause significant damage. A deep tissue massage can work out the scar tissue and loosen up the tense muscles. There’s a difference between good, tired pain and bad pain that’s debilitating. Neglecting your muscles will teach you that difference very quickly.
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Chocolate milk
This sounds a bit too good to be true, but chocolate milk has tremendous benefits in post-workout recovery. This is particularly true of low fat chocolate milk, so don’t think this is an opportunity to pig out after an exercise. With its mix of carbohydrates and high-quality protein, it has all the fuels necessary to nurse a tired exerciser. It’s also used as a component of many good protein shakes, too.
