Working out until you're spent and not giving your body ample time to recover does more harm than good. To avoid this mishap, here’s a checklist of the things you need.
If you’re in training and you want optimal results, you have to learn one important thing that many fail to recognize. And that is - recovery is just as important as the workout itself. Your body won’t benefit from long hours of running or lifting weights with just little rest. On the contrary, injuries will eat you up if you continue to train like a madman. The truth is we can only achieve the best physical condition possible by following a routine that includes the right amount of focus on muscle recuperation.
On that note, here are some of the best equipment you can use for body recovery especially after an intense activity.
Exercise Mat
Stretching is essential to workout recovery. It helps lessen the accumulation of lactic acid, loosens up and repairs the muscles plus, it allows the blood circulation go back to normal. To feel more comfortable doing this cool down exercise, having a proper exercise mat underneath you is key.
Foam Roller
A foam roller is a tool used for myofascial release. It can reduce tension in your tissues and relieve muscle tightness. Lying in this cylindrical device and letting it roll underneath you as you move back and forth should help diminish whatever pain you have in your back and gluteal region. It can also be used for other parts of your body that needs further stretching or just outright relief.
Massage ball
A massage ball has the same function as a foam roller but it’s more suitable to use when you’re going for the hard-to-reach-spots of the body like the sole of the foot or your inner thigh. You can also opt for this tool if you want to have a more concentrated effect on a particular trigger point. A good alternative for this round instrument would be a tennis or a lacrosse ball.
Massage gun
A massage gun is basically a massage ball on steroids. It’s easier to use and it comes with a bunch of head attachments with different designs. Pick one and attach it to the gun, pull the “trigger,” lay it on your target area and let it do the work. Two minutes should be enough to relax the deeper parts of the muscle tissue.
A comfortable bed
In the Rich Roll podcast, Olympic and World Triathlon champion Kristian Blummenfelt said that when it comes to body recovery, he will choose sleep over any kind of massage all day. Hard to argue with that guy when talking about stuff like this.
The tools we mentioned will help your body recuperate but at the end of the day, there’s no better way to let your muscles recover than going to sleep. And the best way to fall into a deep slumber is to lie in a soft, comfortable bed.