3 Awesome Recovery Tips for After the Gym

There is no feeling quite like going to the gym, but while it feels great doing it, it may not feel so great once you’re done. There is a good chance that if you got a good and solid workout in, you will be sore either the next day or sometimes only a little while after you leave the gym. Here are a few tips to help you recover after a good gym session.

1. Massage

(source: lawrenceparkhealth.com)

While everyone doesn’t have the luxury of getting a full on professional massage after a workout, there are other things you can do to help aid recovery and help you feel 100% in a quicker time frame. The most common item to use for this is a foam roller. By rolling a foam cylinder over your tight or sore muscles, it breaks up scare tissue that can lead to nagging pain in muscles and joints. Foam rolling can be done anytime you are feeling sore and doesn’t have to be done only after a workout.

2. Keep Hydrated and Get Nutrients

(source: strong-athlete.com)

Oftentimes in a tough and strenuous workout, you burn a lot of calories and use up a lot of your available energy. Therefore, you can feel very sluggish, “empty” and tired after a workout. Soon after returning home, it is a great idea to eat some protein rich and healthy foods to get some energy back and some pep in your step. Also, hydration before, during and after a workout is always a must. And while some products are marketed for this such as Gatorade and similar products, nothing beats some good old fashioned water.

3. Get Some Sleep

(source: brides.com)

In our busy and stressful lives, it is totally normal for people to go to the gym on their lunch breaks which can leave them pretty worn out and tired for the afternoon. If you have the luxury of doing so, having a little nap or just resting after a workout is often one of the best things for recovery. Of course, you should only rest once you have employed the other two recovery tips I have shared, but this is a good way to cap off the recovery