Sauna, Swim, Spa the Triple S for Recovery
When it comes to recovering from a workout, nutrition and sleep are top of the list. Unless you feed your body with nutrients and give it the rest it needs to replenish, recover and regrow, you will only be getting smaller and weaker. The next most important factor is known as active recovery, and the big three when it comes to active recovery are the sauna, spa and swim. Let’s find out how the Big 3 can enhance your post-workout recovery.
Sauna for Recovery
After your workout your muscles are worn out, your cardiovascular system is taxed and your entire body is trying to cope with the stress that you’ve just put it under. A sauna is a great way to relax, unwind and rejuvenate your body. What’s more, your body will produce endorphins that help to repair the micro-tears in your muscle fiber that your workout has caused. This will speed up the rebuilding process whereby, so long as you are providing the muscle with quality protein, it will build back bigger and stronger than it used to be.
A post-workout sauna will also help to get rid of lactic acid and toxins that are released while you are training. This will help you to feel refreshed and will also speed up the recovery process.
Swimming for Recovery
Swimming is recognised by sports professionals as among the very best forms of active recovery. It is a low impact way to move your muscles through a full range of motion while also removing lactic acid. At the same time, your muscle fibers are recovering. The hydrostatic pressure of being in the water will also circulate the blood flow back to your heart. As a result, your swimming pulse with be about 15 percent lower than it would be on land.
Swimming is especially beneficial if you have come away from the workout with some nagging muscular pain. Because swimming is not a weight bearing exercise, the pressure is released when you move through the water. This allows you to gently move the affected muscle through a full range of motion without any pressure. Slowly swimming a few laps will allow you to stretch every muscle group in your body.
Try a dip in the ocean to enjoy the added benefits of salt water, as the salt works to remove inflammation and reduce soreness - win, win!
Spa
The spa is one of the most refreshing things that you can do after your workout. It combines some of the best elements of the sauna and swimming; heat and water. Heat therapy will increase the blood flow, bringing healing nutrients to your sore muscles. The water will, at the same time, provide soothing, pressure free muscle rejuvenation.
Not to be under estimated is the mental relaxation that comes with a post-workout spa session. After as few minutes in the spa, you will be mentally recovered from the workout and ready to take on the rest of your day.
Final Word
Make use of the Triple S recovery strategy to speed up your workout recovery. By doing so, you will be able to go into your next training session with all of the energy, strength and focus you need to own your workout.
