When it comes to working out and getting fit, many of us make the mistake of focusing our efforts solely on the time spent exercising, when in fact recovery plays as equally an important role. Recovery is the time and activities you participate in once you have stepped out of the gym and off the treadmill. There is a misconception amongst gym-goers that muscle recovery is just about rest days and giving your body a break. However, there are many different ways that you can take care of your body and ensure your muscles have everything they need for recovery.
The methods of muscle recovery that you undertake once you have finished your workout will have a direct impact both on your progress and development during your future sessions. So, we have put together some of the main reasons why muscle recovery is so important, and the best ways you can take care of your muscles post-workout.
You Need to Refuel Your Body
While we all know how good it is for our overall health and wellbeing to exercise on a regular basis, it is important to remember that physical activity takes its toll on our bodies. Exercise puts a lot of added pressure on our bodies, which is why we feel so exhausted post-workout. Therefore, it is crucial that you provide your body with the opportunity to rest and recover after an intense session. Pushing your body and mind too far without adequate muscle recovery time will not only have an impact on your health and wellbeing, but it will also cause your motivation and energy levels to deplete quickly.
Recovery is Essential for your Muscles to Grow and Develop
Many people wrongly assume that it is the time spent during the workout that has the biggest impact on the growth and development of their muscles, but in fact muscle recovery is where the magic happens. As we discussed earlier, exercise puts a lot of pressure on our body and an intense workout causes trauma to the muscles. Muscle recovery is crucial as it provides your muscles the opportunity to heal micro-tears that an intense workout can cause.
One of the most effective methods of muscle recovery is stretching with muscle recovery equipment. Muscle recovery equipment such as the vibrating foam roller is a great way to target specific muscles that feel sore after working out, as it helps to soothe and ease any pain or discomfort you can feel. It can also help to improve your overall flexibility which will enhance your performance in future sessions.
Reduce Risk of Injury
We have all heard of the fitness motivated mantra ‘no pain, no gain’, but research has found that there is no link between feeling sore after a workout, and additional muscle growth. Instead, evidence suggests that the opposite is true. If you consistently push your body through vigorous workouts without giving it adequate opportunity for muscle recovery, then you could cause permanent damage. Without muscle recovery, your muscles can feel tense and contracted, which makes you much more at risk of injury during a workout.
Muscle recovery is so important, as not only does it give your body a well-deserved and needed rest to recover post-workout, but it also allows you to live a healthier lifestyle, free from soreness and discomfort.
