Gym Aftercare Is Essential Too
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When we think of getting fit, we often think of a ripped
bodybuilder throwing down dead-lift weights or running that final, exhausting
mile both in or out of the gym. In other words, we think of hard physical
effort. In fact, this is one of the issues that people who fear the gym can
have. They think that if they’re not putting down an ungodly effort, somehow
they’re not as functional as others in the gym, when that’s really not the
case.
However, even as silly as this example sounds, there’s also
something more subtly wrong with its approach. Namely, that getting fit is a
process that only happens when laying down expensive and hard effort. Of
course, you cannot get fit without training or exercise. But that’s not the end
of the story. Solid gym aftercare is absolutely essential too, from top to
bottom. Let us consider what that might look like, in order to help you
flourish and live your most healthy
life possible. It is certainly worth the effort.
Stretch
Stretching is very important, to ensure that your muscles
slowly begin to heal from the intense workout you’ve given them. To begin with,
dynamic stretching before your workout is essential to keeping your muscles
warmed and ready to go. It can also serve as a pre-workout, helping you raise
your heart rate before you commit to the exercise plan you have worked out
already. But it’s also important to stretch after the fact, to help prevent
your muscles from cramping in the future, and to keep yourself flexible. It can
be worth following this foam
roller guide to help you slowly begin to heal the muscles in the evening,
to help you stay aligned, and to prevent injury in the future.
Correct Nutrition
Without enough protein to repair your muscles (roughly one
gram per pound of your body-weight, or 1.5 grams if you’re committing to heavy
lifting,) enough carbs to fuel your workouts and enough healthy vitamins and
minerals to help you recover, you will find yourself feeling exhausted week
after week in the gym. That is simply not acceptable. For that reason, it’s
important to understand your macros and come to a personal understanding about
your goals, your body-weight and height, and what your maintenance levels are.
Sleep
Please, get enough sleep. Sometimes, if committing to hard
training, eight hours might not even be enough. Do your best to ensure the
sleep is uninterrupted, and you can relax as you might need to. Ensure that you
give yourself ample time to wake up in the morning, that you stay hydrated, and
that you catch up on any missed sleep you might be needing. If you can do that,
you will be able to repair yourself much more efficiently, come to the workout
with your A-game next time, and generally feel much healthier.
With this advice, we hope you’re better able to apply
correct gym aftercare, from top to bottom.
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