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July 28, 2016 Boosting Muscle Recovery
No one likes feeling so sore after a workout routine that they end up having to take time off to recover. But if you don’t give your muscles the time that they need to heal, you will only end up increasing your risk of getting hurt at the gym.
Rest assured that there are ways that you can limit muscle soreness and speed up muscle recovery after a workout. Implement the tips below into your fitness routine to get the results you want and to keep going strong.
Make Sure You Sleep Enough
Sleep actually plays a really important role in muscle recovery, so if you aren’t getting enough hours of shuteye every night, your body will not have enough time to heal itself and boost the endurance and power of your muscles.
Incorporate Stretching into Your Workout Routine
If you are too focused on strength and cardio, you are doing your muscles a disservice. Make sure you take the time to stretch out your muscles during a cool down following each and every workout. All you have to do is put in about 20 minutes of stretching to help release tension and reduce soreness.
Eat Foods That Are Rich in Potassium
Potassium is a nutrient that can become depleted when you exercise, but because it plays an important role in helping your body produce muscular energy, you need to replenish what you lose. Simply eating a snack that contains potassium after you exercise can help your muscles recover more quickly. Try a protein shake that includes potassium, or just have a delicious banana as a quick way to give your body the fuel it needs to stay strong.
Stay Hydrated
In addition to being hydrated before you exercise, it is equally important to drink plenty of water after your session at the gym. Put simply, if you are hydrated prior to and after your exercise routine, you will be taking a step towards preventing muscle damage and replenishing the water that was lost through sweat.
Have Protein-Packed Snacks
Have a light snack that contains protein before going to bed for the night in order to assist your body in repairing your muscles while you are sleeping. And when you wake up the next morning, enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast that has protein and will continue providing your muscles with what they need to heal.
Implementing the simple steps above will help your body remain in a state of balance and will also help your muscles recover more efficiently after you’ve worked hard at the gym, so definitely consider giving them a try.
