When you exercise, change is happening to the body. From the repair and rebuilding process of muscle tissue to replenishing energy and fluids, the time spent away from the gym could be considered more beneficial than the time in the gym in most scenarios. That’s because our bodies are healing and getting stronger in the hours of recovery, so it’s imperative to incorporate time for this rest into your daily routine. 

While it can be challenging to take time off when you get into a solid groove of workouts, programming time for exercise recovery into your routine is crucial for many reasons. Most of us probably think recovery time means sitting on the couch, doing nothing, right? Thankfully, you can do plenty of things to promote rest and recovery after exercise while not being sedentary. Let’s take a look at five different ways you can incorporate recovery into your routine each week!

  1. Massages: while this isn’t an option for most folks as a weekly event, massages certainly help with exercise recovery, even when done bi-weekly or monthly. Massages aid in reducing tightness within the muscles while increasing blood flow (therefore bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles). 
  2. Sleep: this is one of the best ways that you can aid in exercise recovery! Getting quality sleep allows the body to heal, especially since essential hormones are produced that help rebuild and repair the body while you’re getting some shut-eye.
  3. Nutrition: consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods is crucial for exercise recovery. Complex carbs are needed to help rebuild energy supplies, while protein is necessary to repair muscle. If your meals are all over the place or inconsistent, focus on consuming a healthy snack within 45 minutes of your workout to help begin the recovery process.
  4. Myofascial release: this can be done in multiple ways; from foam rolling and massage guns to trigger point balls and massage sticks, myofascial release aids in decreasing muscle tightness and soreness when done appropriately. Look up a trusted source on Youtube or ask a trainer at your gym! 
  5. Hydration: staying hydrated is key for improving performance, and the same is true once your workout is complete and you’re in recovery mode. Not only does staying hydrated help transport nutrients throughout the body, but it can also help decrease muscle tightness. 

What workout recovery methods do you stick to in your routine? Tag us on Instagram! @FITAID