The U. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend spreading out weekly exercise over the course of a few workouts on at least three different days , rather than performing it all at once, to lower injury risk.

Tips for Working Out: Rest and Recovery. Next up video playing in 10 seconds. Here are some of those strategies: Passive Recovery A complete cessation from exercise, passive recovery is synonymous with complete rest. Okay — you can lie on the couch and kick up your feet for this one!

How much passive recovery your body needs depends on multiple factors, including your current fitness level and how intense your workouts are, Kolba says. Active Recovery Active recovery means low-intensity, generally low-impact exercise that promotes blood flow and tissue repair without further stressing the body, Rivadeneyra says.

Or try a gentle yoga practice to stretch out tired muscles. Think of active recovery as anything you can do without getting winded or fatiguing your muscles. Cross-Training Cross-training lets you get the most bang for your workout buck. It means changing up the activity you do from workout to workout, so you are fatiguing different muscles during different workouts, Rivadeneyra says.

For example, if you generally spend your workouts running, strength training, or boxing even if performed at a high intensity will stress your body in different ways.

By allowing certain muscle groups to repair while others work, cross-training helps promote overall muscle health while minimizing the amount of passive and active recovery days needed. Myofascial Release Myofascial release sometimes called soft tissue therapy includes massage and foam rolling.

Performed immediately before and after exercise, it may help decrease feelings of delayed onset muscle soreness while speeding muscle recovery. Nutritional Recovery The foods you eat provide your body with the building blocks needed to repair muscles and promote recovery, Kolba says.

A whole-foods-based diet rich in antioxidants, whole carbohydrates, and lean protein can help trigger the right changes in your body between workouts, so your system is in better shape when it comes time for the next workout.

During sleep, the body produces the majority of its growth factors and hormones that aid in daily muscle repair and recovery. Getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night allows those growth factors to do their work, he says. Avoid screen time TV, phones and alcohol before bed and keep the room dark to help ensure quality sleep.

RELATED: The Work-Life Balance Conversation We Need to Be Having For example, children, teenagers, and older adults may require more post-workout recovery compared with young and middle-age adults, Rivadeneyra says.

People who are out of shape or new to exercise may need more recovery, or even passive recovery, to repair their muscles and rebuild their energy stores. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Sources Overtraining Syndrome: A Practical Guide. Sports Health.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition. Department of Health and Human Services. The tightness of the fabric can help to promote blood flow through the deeper blood vessels rather than those on the surface, which may aid with clearing waste and providing nutrients to the muscle fibres.

Did you know your emotional and mental wellbeing can affect your muscle recovery? A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research looked at whether chronic mental stress affects muscle recovery, perceived energy, fatigue, and soreness after strenuous resistance exercise, over a four-day period.

The results showed that higher levels of stress resulted in lower recovery and, conversely, lower levels of stress were associated with superior recovery. Stress can also impact everything from your sleep to eating patterns, hormones and general wellbeing.

All of these things can impact your immune response, which is essential for muscle recovery. Your stress levels can be impacted by a number of internal and external factors, and if stress is having a consistently negative impact on your daily life, reach out to a healthcare professional.

Ideally, any resistance training program will gradually increase the intensity of each workout, within your limits. This is called progressive overload, a principle used in many Sweat programs where your training routine undergoes regular small adjustments to your workout volume, intensity, density and frequency.

All of our bodies are different, so keep checking in with how you feel during your training sessions and as you recover.

If an exercise feels too strenuous, take a modification. If a weight feels too heavy, go lighter. Based on their findings, Sports Performance Bulletin highlights that while technology can be a useful way to monitor performance and fatigue, you should never neglect the power of self-monitoring.

Only YOU know how you truly feel - both in relation to fatigue, soreness and your training. To avoid burnout or overtraining , be aware of telltale signs like poor sleep, fatigue, lowered immunity or constant achy muscles. Feeling rested, recovered and ready to get back into it?

Check out our trainers' top workout tips. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Sweat assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. There are some errors in your form.

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Five to 10 minutes of easy movement a slow jog, walk, swim, etc. following a workout begins the gradual recovery process by allowing your heart rate and blood pressure to lower to their normal, pre-exercise levels , according to the Mayo Clinic.

Whether that be a cooldown—like a slow jog, run, walk or stretching—or even just resting for a minute letting your heart rate come down and not just getting done with a workout and going straight to your car and driving. Instead of slamming on the brakes immediately after a workout, try walking for a few minutes to slowly let your heart and blood vessels recover from the stress of the training session.

While continuing to move is probably the last thing you want to do after a hard workout, your heart and blood vessels will thank you.

When it comes to muscle recovery, nothing beats rehydrating with water. The human body needs water to survive and function, and your body loses large amounts of water during workouts, especially in hot or humid environments where you are sweating more.

Although there are tons of hydrating sports drinks on the market, simply consuming water with solid food will do the trick , as the water hydrates and the food replenishes lost electrolytes, according to research published in the Journal of Sports Science. The amount of water needed to rehydrate post-workout will vary from person to person depending on the amount you sweat and the length of the workout.

If you want to know how much water to consume post-workout, try weighing yourself before and after the workout— every two pounds lost equals approximately one liter of water lost. Electrolytes are elements that help maintain fluid balance, conduct electrical charges to help muscles contract, regulate chemical reactions and many other essential body functions.

We get electrolytes from the food and beverages we consume. Sodium is the primary electrolyte lost through sweat during workouts, so the electrolyte drink must contain moderately high levels of sodium approximately one gram of sodium per hour of exercise when there is heavy sweat loss to be effective in rehydration.

Other important electrolytes include potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and phosphate. Sodium and potassium are definitely important, but also the amount of electrolytes that you have is very dependent on you.

You may notice it after you're done with a workout if you have like a black T-shirt on or something and there's a white ring around your neck, that's all the salt that you just excreted through your skin. Try looking for a salt ring as Kelly suggests or pay attention to the amount you sweat to have a better idea of the amount of electrolytes you need to replenish.

If you want to see muscle growth from your workouts, consuming protein immediately after a strenuous workout is essential. Research shows that protein helps stimulate protein synthesis, or the creation of new muscle protein in the body.

The newly created muscle proteins are used to build muscle mass in the body and repair the trauma your muscles suffered during your training session. It is highly accepted in this area that a high protein diet or protein in general, is the key to maintaining or building muscle mass," Kelly says.

The best time to take protein is within two hours of a workout, but it can also be helpful to drink a protein shake before bed for additional muscle support.

Studies show that 20 grams of protein is a sufficient serving to see results after a workout. You can incorporate protein into your diet in several ways, but in my experience, one of the easiest and fastest ways to get protein in after a workout is through protein powder or a protein shake.

There is a range of protein powders on the market, including hemp , casein and plant-based protein powder , which makes it easy to find a product that fits your preferences and fitness goals. However, research suggests that whey protein is the most effective type of protein for stimulating muscle growth , so we recommend picking a whey-based protein supplement if you are looking to gain muscle mass.

While eating carbohydrates before a workout is important to fuel your body, it is equally important to replenish what you burned by eating carbohydrates after training. Your body stores the carbohydrates you ingest as energy glycogen in your muscles to help power through a workout and repair tired and fatigued muscles during recovery.

No matter your fitness goals, it is important to eat a carb-filled snack after your training session. The recommended amount of carbohydrates varies based on the intensity of your workout and body weight.

However, studies show that eating a high-carbohydrate diet for 24 hours after a workout will restore over 90 percent of your muscle glycogen. Your body can then use this newly stored glycogen to perform in your next training session.

Research suggests eating a mix of carbs and protein within an hour of finishing a workout will kickstart your recovery. A balanced meal typically includes fruits and vegetables, a grain and protein.

That's also going to adjust what you want to [eat]. If you want to maintain muscle mass, but lose a little bit of fat mass, then you need to have more protein. If you want to maintain your weight, then you're probably going to follow the recommended guideline.

If you want to lose, like lose total weight, then you're going to have to decrease just about everything," she says. Vitamins and minerals are natural micronutrients that are essential to perform many bodily functions. We get them from our food, but chances are not all of us have a perfect diet and may be missing some minerals.

A multivitamin can help fill in the gaps, but sometimes individuals need more specific supplements to target a certain vitamin or mineral deficiency. An iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Iron plays a crucial role in blood health because it is a significant component of hemoglobin.

Kelly says that calcium is another common deficiency, and it has an important role in bone health, muscle contractions and nerve function. A shortage of calcium can lead to bone injuries and muscle cramps during a workout. If you are deficient in calcium, iron or another specific vitamin or mineral, it can have a devastating impact on your performance.

Luckily, there are supplements that can help replenish your lack of nutrients. If you suspect that you are lacking specific vitamins and minerals we recommend consulting a medical professional to ask about which supplements you should incorporate into your routine.

They might suggest different vitamins that will probably also help with your recovery," Kelly said. Related Post: The Best Workout Recovery Supplements. Your body is in a fully parasympathetic state, and it can actually recover from that point," said Kelly.

Your body uses sleep to rest and repair itself to continue working the next day. While your body is in a parasympathetic state, blood circulation increases, which also increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.

Growth hormones that help repair muscle damage and grow muscle tissue are also released. These are two of many examples of recovery-promoting body processes that occur during sleep. The consequences of sleep deprivation can have staggering effects on your performance and recovery process.

The average adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Sleeping under the essential amount can cause fatigue, headaches and slowed reflexes—all of which could detrimentally affect future training sessions.

If you have trouble sleeping, changing your sleep habits or taking a sleep supplement can help improve your sleep quality. Easy ways to improve your sleep hygiene include staying away from blue light the light emitted by electronics like your phone or TV before bed, keeping a sleep schedule and developing a consistent bedtime routine.

Sleep supplements like melatonin and magnesium can also help improve your sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.

Delayed onset muscle soreness is not only painful, but it can interfere with everyday life. I know that I am often still struggling to walk days after a heavy squat workout. One of my favorite—and most relaxing—ways to prevent this soreness is by getting a massage.

They are also thought to help remove lactic acid—which builds up in muscles following high-energy exercise, leading to pain—especially in runners, says Savage. Beyond improving comfort, relieving or preventing pain helps you stay on track with your health goals and promotes improved flexibility and range of motion, Savage adds.

Doing some light activity that gets your body moving—like a walk , hike , bike ride, light swim, or game of tag—enhances muscle recovery without straining them by boosting blood flow, Cesar adds. One of the best ways to keep soreness or injury at bay is to not overexert yourself.

You should never leave a workout feeling drained and spent. If you do, dial it back next time. In order to build muscle strength or bigger muscles in general, pay close attention to the foods you eat after exercise. Savage recommends eating a balance of healthy carbs , lean protein, and healthy fat—all of which help facilitate the changes your body needs to make physical progress.

For example, a slice of whole grain toast with peanut butter and sliced bananas or a cup of Greek yogurt with fresh berries would fit the bill. These minerals play an essential role in fluid regulation and muscle contraction—and lacking in them can lead to muscle cramps or weakness, dizziness, a headache, and other unpleasant symptoms.

Most fresh fruit contains electrolytes, and sipping on coconut water is also a good way to boost your levels, Savage says. Create a sleep routine that helps you doze off. Our guide to sleeping soundly all night recommends creating a soothing ritual, which can include practicing a quick meditation, dimming the lights, or diffusing a relaxing scent like lavender.

Alyssa is a senior editor for the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she has written research-backed health content for Prevention , Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day since Hill, J.

Compression garments and recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48 18 , — Ingram, J.

Effect of water immersion methods on post-exercise recovery from simulated team sport exercise. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 12 3 , — Lane, K. Effect of selected recovery conditions on performance of repeated bouts of intermittent cycling separated by 24 hours.

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18 4 , — Menzies, P. Blood lactate clearance during active recovery after an intense running bout depends on the intensity of the active recovery. Journal of Sports Science, 28 9 , — Miyamoto, N.

Effect of pressure intensity of graduated elastic compression stocking on muscle fatigue following calf-raise exercise. Journal of Electromyographical Kinesiology, 21 2 , — NASM National Association of Sports Medicine. McGill, E.

NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training 5th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Barlett Learning. Effect of elastic compression on venous hemodynamics in postphlebitic limbs.

Journal of the American Medical Association, 25 , — Pocari, J. Exercise Physiology. Philadelphia: F. Schaser, K.

Prolonged superficial local cryotherapy attenuates microcirculatory impairment, regional inflammation, and muscle necrosis after closed soft tissue injury in rats. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 35 1 , 93— Shin, M. Effects of Massage on Muscular Strength and Proprioception After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage.

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29 8 , — Wiltshire, E. Fabio Comana, M. An international presenter at multiple health and fitness events, he is also a spokesperson featured in multiple media outlets and an accomplished chapter and book author.

org Fitness CPT Nutrition CES Sports Performance Workout Plans Wellness. American Fitness Magazine Recovery Exploring the Science of Recovery. Recovery is a huge part of the following NASM courses: NASM Health and Wellness Coach Certification CPT Personal Trainer Course Corrective Exercise Specialization Sports Nutrition Coach Stretching and Flexibility Coach Specialty.

Understanding Recovery We eat, sleep, train, repeat—constantly striving to get bigger, stronger, faster or slimmer—but is there a point where too much becomes harmful? Homeostasis is a state of balance within the body that occurs when the variables in a system e.

In this article, we will focus on stress related to exercise, which includes physiological e. Other common types of stress are environmental e. Types of Recovery Though recovery is a critical phase of the exercise-adaptation cycle, it is among the least understood and most under-researched components of training.

Monitoring Recovery Usually, an evening of restful sleep coupled with good nutrition and hydration will restore homeostasis and full recovery Pocari et al.

Active Recovery Two studies highlight the value of active recovery, which typically uses movements ranging from spurts of anaerobic activity to very light-intensity activity e.

Read more: Active Recovery - Rest Days, Workouts, and Exercise Examples Massage Advocates of massage say it decreases muscle soreness, pain and stress, improves circulation and lymphatic flow, and creates an enhanced perception of recovery.

Compression Delivered via clothing or through inflatable devices e. Cryotherapy Cryotherapy temporarily reduces muscle temperature, stimulating vasoconstriction and reducing inflammation and pain.

Hydrotherapy The cardiovascular system responds to hydrotherapy water immersion by changing heart rate, peripheral blood flow and resistance to flow. Sleep The fields of health and medicine recognize the importance of sleep upon overall health and wellness.

Sleep and recovery depend on two vital data points: Basal sleep, which is the amount the body needs every night to recover Sleep debt, which accumulates if we do not get our basal sleep every night If sleep debt piles up, rising stress and cortisol accumulation in the body will impair recovery and threaten our health.

From RICE to CAM It is interesting to note a small paradigm shift in the suggested protocols following injury and exercise, with some practitioners moving away from the traditional RICE practice rest, ice, compress, elevate and toward CAM compression, activity, massage.

At end of one normal breath exhalation , start a stopwatch. Sit quietly until the need to take another normal breath occurs. This cannot be a deeper breath or gasp. Stop stopwatch. The point at which another normal breath is needed should occur at approximately 40 seconds, though many people tend to overbreathe, resulting in a score of only 15—25 seconds.

Monitoring Heart Rate Monitoring Resting Heart Rate RHR can be done simply by having the client take his pulse manually or by using a wrist device or heart rate monitor. People will often debate which one is better for post-workout recovery, and the real answer is it depends on which one you like.

While most studies look at the effects static and dynamic stretching have on a specific muscle or movement, one review of multiple studies found that both provide similar improvements for range of motion, blood flow, and athletic performance.

If anything, the review found, one might be better for one group of people over another: athletes should lean more toward dynamic stretching, whereas older adults should stick to static stretching.

Physical rehab patients can benefit from both, the study found. Myth: More Soreness Is Always Better Fact: Ugh, No. Stop Believing This. This may be based in some truth: when you exercise your body breaks down microscopic muscle fibers, which are then rebuilt through the recovery process and to make your muscles bigger.

And that could hurt depending on the intensity of your workout, how many muscle groups you exercised, and how seriously you take your recovery i.

eating enough food and getting ample sleep. Studies have shown that your muscles can grow regardless of whether you feel pain in the areas you worked out or not.

Not to mention that extreme soreness can be a sign that something is wrong with your body. Rhabdo, also known as Rhabdomyolysis, is a condition in which the breakdown of muscle tissue which is what happens during exercise releases a damaging protein into the bloodstream, which can result in severe kidney damage.

Takeaways If you have a car, odds are you probably make sure it has enough fuel, has all the necessary fluids, and has the right tire pressure. We should be taking the same precautions with our body, especially if we train it on a regular basis.

One important thing to keep in mind is many of the claims we covered here, and others, have studies that initially back them up but then start to show flaws the closer you look at them. Also, many studies are funded by people with conflict of interests those people are supposed to disclose their affiliation in the publications , so keep an eye out for those.

Most importantly, just listen to your body. It will let you know when it needs a stretch, a nap, or even a run. Original article published on garagegymreviews. Skip to content. Facebook page opens in new window Twitter page opens in new window Instagram page opens in new window YouTube page opens in new window.

Patient Portal Make a Payment Top Nav. The Science Of Post-Workout Recovery: Busting Myths And Spilling Facts.