Taking care of your body is an important part of fitness (go figure!). Here’s how to ease the pain of tired muscles.
Why do we get sore?
Soreness occurs when our bodies perform movements and exercises that challenge the muscles being used in ways that they have not been challenged or used before. Little microscopic tears occur along our muscles and nearby connective tissues when we contract our muscles. But it isn’t the tiny tears that cause the soreness, the pain we experience occurs when the muscles heal and repair.
But don’t worry, there are an array of habits we can build and keep in our tool belts to minimize the impact of our workouts and soreness.
These tips will help you recover from your workouts faster:
- Stretch. Every day.
We give all of our members a great tool for stretching and mobility. It’s called ROMWOD. ROMWOD is a program that has hundreds of stretching videos. These are perfect for post-workout, for rest days, or when you’re feeling really sore. The stretches provided in the “Cool Down” section of your program are just as an important piece to complete as the workout itself. Recovery is key! - Get plenty of sleep. When you’re snoozing, your muscles take the opportunity to repair and rebuild themselves. Put your feet up and make sure you get enough. Sleep 8-9 hours, in the dark (yes, pitch black, no LED lights), and cold room (65-68 degrees).
- Keep coming in for your training. The best thing you can do for aching muscles is keeping moving! This constant movement prevents you from becoming stiff and even sorer.If the thought of walking into the gym is giving you heart palpitations, don’t be a stranger! Talk to your coach about adjusting the intensity while you are getting used to your new fitness routine.
- Eat good, clean food. You’re wasting all that effort if you hit the drive-through after a training session. Do some research into getting enough fresh veggies, lean protein, and healthy carbs to help your body perform at its best. Staying healthy doesn’t have to be all about expensive supplements. A balanced, healthy diet that is right for you will do the trick.
- Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated helps your muscles recover and keeps your body functioning at its optimum level. Keep up your consumption throughout the day, not just while you train.
