Recovery is one of the most overlooked aspects of training. If not done regularly, it will most likely lead to overtraining and injury. Of course, like all other aspects of training, recovery is not simply done. It depends on age, intensity of training being done, how often you are training, type of training, physical limitations and past injury history. Any educated, experienced trainer will give you good advice on how often and what to do.
In general, recovery should look something like this:
1. Get massages on a regular basis. How often? Depends on level of training, but at least once a month if you are training regularly at a moderate to high intensity.
2. Stretch! Ya, I know! But stretching AFTER exercise or on recovery days helps to keep the tissue ‘aligned’ and allows for full range of motion.
3. Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is very important!
4. Rest/sleep. As I have written about before, you heal when you sleep. No sleepy, no healy!!
Some basics.
Remember, active living can be considered a recovery day. A walk, play with the kids in the park, gardening, cutting the grass, shoveling the snow and so on.
Remember to recover, it will benefit your training more than you think!!
Stay strong YYC!!