After taking a battering in the gym there are a number of things you can do to help stop the aches and pains and speed up recovery.
Of course there is always going to be a certain amount of pain you will need to live with when working out in the gym but it’s my belief that you will be better-off in life having kept fit and healthy and you will have overall less pain in old age, this of course I don’t know for sure yet but it makes sense to me :) Besides you know what they say, no pain, no gain.
Ice baths
Having an ice bath is a great way to elevate pain but is best like all things taken as a prevention rather then a cure. It’s quite easy really just have a cold bath filled with ice and jump in!
The reason having an ice bath works is due to the muscles being squeezed free of lactic acid, this is because the cold will make your muscles tighten up which will in turn push out blood and lactic acid and once you’re out of the bath your muscles will be flooded with fresh blood again helping push out the cramp inducing lactic acid.
Due to this reason it is a good idea to repeat the process a couple of times.
Any one thinking it’s to much hassle to get bags of ice etc, just use the cold tap it won’t be quite as effective but will do the trick.
Showers
Much the same as the baths, another method is to have a cold shower followed by a hot one, this of course won’t be quite as good on your legs but still, beggars can’t be choosers!
Sauners
You get the picture by now, right? (Sigh*)
No? OK! Have a sauner followed by a cold shower or jump in a cold pool, a lot of health spa’s now have plunge pools or ice buckets that are a killer! Use them.
Protein
After you have crawled out of the gym (You are crawling right?) make sure you neck a protein shake to fuel you muscles with what they need to rebuild, come on guys this is 101 shiz. Duh!
No protein powder – No problem just make sure you’re eating the right foods, preferably fat burning foods.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Ok so you might not have heard this one, before bed have a teaspoon of bicarb in a glass of water and it will help sooth sore lactic acid fill muscles.
Banana
Back to the preventatives, have a banana before and after your workouts to help stop cramps and the potassium will also help you sleep.
Sleep
As previously mentioned make sure you’re getting enough sleep, this is when your body is active trying to rebuild you, so make sure you’re getting your 8 hours of sleep, ideally 18 :)
Knowing Your Limits
Lastly knowing your limits and not over doing it will help you stay motivated and prevent you from walking around like a T-Rex (Jonesy :))
If you have any more methods or you think I’m talking whack, let me know in the comments!
This post was written by...
Craig Addyman – who has written 79 posts on 6packproject.
I run and manage the 6packproject site. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment or get in touch via email. P.s Thanks for stopping by!
