6 Relaxation Options After A Workout

Cooling down and relaxing after a workout can be just as important for your goals of growth and health as the actual workout itself. Many people do not realize that the way you help your body relax is going to determine how much muscle growth, fat burning, and health improvements occur. Fortunately, there is a significant amount of information available on what relaxation options work best.

These 6 options are just some of the ways that you can get relief for your body and increase your performance for the next workout. These relaxation options are useful for all kinds of exercise junkies, so take advantage of them!

Spa Tubs and Pools

Some of the best cardio comes in the water, and some of the best relaxation does too. The increased resistance from the water helps build strong muscles, cuts weight, and improves cardio. There are more options now too, ones that are not your traditional hot tubs or pools. One of which is the swims spa tubs, these tubs use the power of jets to shoot water towards the center to help simulate the motion of swimming. Reading the reviews here will give you an idea of how the water flow, coming from the powerful jets can help relax your muscles just as if you were in a jacuzzi. Water has always been an effective way to relax, so make the most out of it by getting a hot tub/lap pool combination to loosen up your muscles.

Massage

Keeping the muscles loose, keeping them relaxed, and being in a good headspace is crucial to getting the most out of your physical exercise. Massages are great for a few reasons. These include that ability to loosen up the muscles, but they also help release tension in your body. Tight muscles can negatively impact your movement, which could lead to injury. Regardless of whether you are lifting heavy or doing light cardio, massages help release unwanted tension.

Meditation

Another way to relax the body and mind is through meditation. All it takes is a few minutes a day to sit down and clear your head. Mental blocks can impact your gym time as much as physical pain, and meditation requires almost nothing to help relax yourself after the gym. Sit down, clear your head, remove all distractions and you will feel much better in the long term for the gym or your daily life too.

Make a Healthy Meal

Fueling the body post-workout is as important as pre-workout. Once you get off the bike, take off the shoes, or put down the weights, you should be giving your body some leafy greens and protein to replenish lost energy. Relaxation also means rejuvenation and the body needs quality nutrition to get ready for your next time in the gym.

Foam Rolling

For those that cannot afford regular massages, or do not have someone they trust enough to get those tricky knots out, you can stick with the classic foam rolling technique. These handy little exercise tools are great for getting out the knots on your own and can be down wherever or whenever. Foam rolling is good for the same things that massages are done for, but they are more flexible and can fit into your schedule better, especially if you have a busy work or home life. Consider getting a foam roller and keeping it in or with your gym bag so you always remember to get a good session in after your workout.

Napping/Sleeping

Recovery is at its highest point during sleep. After a workout, the feeling of burnout can hit quickly, and sometimes it helps to just go to bed. Sleeping helps recover the muscle energy, your mind’s energy, and is one of the best forms of relaxation. Not only does sleep improve the more you workout because you get a much deeper rest, but it becomes easier and easier to self-regulate your schedule. Even if you do not have all the time in the world, you can take small 20 minute naps to help pick yourself back up and tackle the day.

Recovery is just as important as the workout itself. Reaching your goals of running faster, jumping higher, swimming farther, or lifting heavier can often come down to how well you let your body relax after a particularly intense workout session. From spa tubs, to sleep, and healthy eating options, the way you recover in the post-workout phase is important. Relaxation options are aplenty, but these should be on your list, and they are easily implemented into your schedule. Use these tips to help you recover faster, longer, and get back to working out at your fullest potential.