Intense workouts are the norm for health and fitness enthusiasts. While many of them may have perfected the art of post-workout recovery, many people have not, hence the poor results they get. It is important to note that post-workout recovery is what increases your muscle mass, and not the actual lifting of weights. The following tips will help you recover fast after an intense workout session:
Take Lots of Fluids
Ideally, you should drink as much water as possible during your workout session. Post-workout water intake is also important. This is because you lose a lot of water through sweating when exercising. Water is important in nutrient transfer in the body as well as metabolic function. That’s why it’s such an important post-workout recovery agent.
Snack on Bananas
Bananas are packed with potassium, an important ingredient for building muscular energy. After the workout, you will feel like your stomach is completely empty, so snacking on a bunch of bananas will not only fill your stomach, but also provide the much needed muscle recovery agent – potassium. Any other potassium-rich food is also recommended.
Get a Massage
After the self inflicted torture at the gym, there is nothing which can soothe your aching muscles better and faster than a massage. In addition to soothing your muscles, massage also improves circulation of flood around the body and feels good.
Hot and Cold Showers
While some athletes and fitness enthusiasts swear by ice-cold baths, hot baths can also be helpful. The trick is to alternate between the two. Start with an ice bath and jump into the shower immediately. After spending a few minutes in the shower, get back into the cold bath before completing the process with a hot shower. The theory behind this strategy is that dilating and constricting blood vessels repeatedly helps in removing waste products from muscle tissues, thereby promoting quick recovery.
Take up Cardio
One of the best ways to recover your muscles after heavy weight-training exercises is through cardio exercises, such as swimming, riding a bike or light jogging. However, swimming is the best, and many professional trainers highly recommend light swimming sessions after intense workouts. Alternatively, you can jog home at a slow pace to recover muscles fast.
There are many other methods which can help you recover muscles fast after an intense workout. After completing your workouts, remember to always warm down before calling it a day.
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