Anyone who works out on a regular basis knows just how fantastic it can be for you. The feeling it gives you alone is enough for it to become seriously addictive for some! So many people know about all the great things you can do to make the most of your workout. Boosting its effects is an important part of the whole process. But something that not so many people know is that post-workout is just as important. That’s right – the things you do after working out are as important as the session itself. If you are someone who never thinks about the post-workout phase, then it might be time to change your game. There are some really beneficial things you should be doing in order to make the most of it. Otherwise, you are just wasting precious time at the gym! Let’s have a look at some of the best things you can do after your workout.
Replace Fluids
During exercise, your body sweats continually to cool itself down. If you don’t replace those lost fluids, you could be doing some serious harm to your body. It is amazing how easily you can find yourself becoming dehydrated. And dehydration can be a serious thing! Along the same lines, you should ensure that you are consuming a decent amount of protein relatively soon after your session. This helps to repair the damaged muscles. Ideally, eat protein within an hour of finishing your session.
Supplement
Another vital thing you could be doing for your body at this stage is to take supplements. There are a huge variety of supplements out there, and they can be essential for keeping your body healthy. Working out damages the muscle fiber – no big thing, that’s what exercising is. However, if you work out regularly, you might find that it is starting to cause you problems.
Cooldown
On a much simpler level, cooling down is a really important thing you should be doing after every workout. Heart-pumping cardio exercise, in particular, requires a good cooldown session afterwards. When your heart has been at its maximum for ninety minutes or so, you want to reduce it again. The important thing is to do that slowly, and that’s where the cooldown comes in. Some light exercise for around five minutes should be enough to get you safely back to a level. Your heart will thank you in the long run.
Stretch
On a par with cooling down in terms of importance to your health is stretching. When you exercise, your muscles become very supple and sensitive to movement. Stretching for a good five minutes after your session brings them back to a normal state. This makes it much less likely that they will tear in the following twenty-four hours, so this is imperative. When you stretch, make sure you hold the pose to really get the full benefit. But be careful not to overdo it to the point of pain – that’s no good for you at all!