Each day is a new workout, a new challenge or goal we are trying to achieve. Whether it’s running, CrossFit, swimming, or biking, we have set goals to get faster, stronger, and fine-tune our bodies. We analyze and sometimes overanalyze our nutrition, supplements, and workout attire, trying to find the perfect combination that will give us that extra performance boost. But what about recovery?
Recovery should be a critical part of any training and workout regimen. It may seem counterintuitive that in order to improve performance you must rest, but it truly is a crucial and often overlooked part of the training. It allows your body and mind to replenish and for your muscle fibers to rest and rebuild.
What is Recovery?
When we think about recovery, we think rest. And while rest and sleep are a large part of a training program, it is only one form. Recovery also includes active recovery or other forms of low impact exercises such as walking, stretching, swimming, and yoga, as well as incorporating massage techniques, compression wear, and proper nutrition and hydration.
What are the Benefits of Recovery?
Lower Risk of Injury
Overtraining leads to injury, but by incorporating proper recovery, such as stretches and myofascial release massage, into your training regimen, you are reducing your likelihood of overuse injuries by giving your overall body, your muscles, and ligaments an opportunity to rest and recover.
Improved Performance
A combination of recovery and active recovery on rest days, such as going for a walk or an easy swim in the training program, will allow your body to be ready for optimal performance on its next workout and next performance event. By getting a proper amount of sleep and recovering not just your body but also your mind (by taking a day off from your regular workouts), you are setting yourself up for a successful training cycle. By including this down time into your plan, your mind will be more focused on the task at hand and it will be easier to remain motivated throughout your training.
Recovery is an important aspect of becoming your best self. If you have a condition you’d like assistance with, schedule an appointment with us today. We’re here to help you get pain free and back to your regular life!
