4 Important Things To Do After A Workout

Hi loves! Today, I’ll be sharing my top 4 things to do after a workout. We all manage to make it to the gym, we get our sweat on for at least an hour or more, but what happens after? You just had an incredible workout and are feeling great because you did it! But are you doing the important things to do after a workout?

Where do you even start? What should you be doing? Well, I’m here to help you tackle that question. Now, there are plenty of things to do after a workout, but these are my top 4. I find these the MOST IMPORTANT for me and I’ll share why. So, let’s dive in!

Cool Down/Stretch

It’s super important to cool down after a workout. Your body temperature rises, and your blood vessels widen while you work out, so you need to give your body the time to go back to normal. Sometimes, when you do a grueling workout and you stop so suddenly you being to feel a little lightheaded. It’s normal but that’s why it’s important to cool down. For me after my CrossFit workouts, I tend to catch my breath first and then start cleaning my area. Putting back all the equipment I used and mopping up after myself.

I’m forcing my body to keep moving but slowly, not just stopping completely. So, make sure you keep moving after you work out. Another way I like to keep moving is by stretching. Your muscles are already warm, meaning they are more elastic and pliable to properly stretch. Stretching can also help with soreness, accelerate your recovery process and help relax your muscles tension after your workout. 

Drink Water

After a workout, you’re obviously sweaty. Right? Well it is because you lose water while you’re working out and you need to get your body’s water supply back. Things to do after a workout replenish your body. This will help your muscles’ flexibility and strength but also it helps decrease muscle soreness. Now depending on your workout will depend on if you need more or less water.

For me, I love Body Amour Sports Drink. I lose a lot of water and electrolytes during my workout and found this to help rehydrate me. It’s also way healthier than Gatorade.

Sometimes, I’ll bring water and see I need about two bottles of water to feel rehydrated again. It’ll depend on you and your workout. When I do a more toning type of workout, I’ll have a bottle of water and don’t need the sports drink because it is also extra calories. See what works for your body, but make sure you refuel your body right after you work out. 

Change Your Clothes

Out of all the things to do after a workout, this is probably my BIGGEST ONE! Why? Because I’m guilty of driving home and either eating dinner quickly or laying down on the floor and getting lost in social media for an hour. Being in those sweaty, wet clothes isn’t good for your body at all. If you are running errands after and can’t change clothes, take the wet pieces off!

Change your sports bra, underwear and socks, these wet articles of clothing can trap moisture which can lead to bacteria and germs growing. This can also cause breakouts. We don’t need any of these ladies, so make sure you give yourself time to change out of your clothes after your workout or bring a change to run errands.

I’ve been guilty of this and it’s the hardest one to change the habit, but just go home and straight into the shower. You get to clean your body and out of those clothes as quickly as possible. 

Take A Cool Shower

Things to do after a workout? Take a cool shower. Your body is already hot from your workout and the cool water will feel great on your skin. By doing this, you’ll increase the healing process in your muscles and will help reduce muscle inflammation after your workout as well.

Why is that important? Well reducing your muscles inflammation helps to lower your chance of being sore the next day. Will it get rid of it? No, but it helps. Why do you think all those football players jump in an ice bath after their practices and conditioning sessions? It helps in the recovery process and at the end of the day your recovery is just as important as your workout. 

Things To Do After A Workout

All these things are important to do after you complete a workout: cool down and stretch, drink water, change your clothes and take a cool shower. Are they more things you can do? Yes, of course, but these are 4 things I’ve incorporated into my post-workout routine and have seen a BIG difference in my recovery process. Fueling my body after a workout with water or a sports drink, stretching and taking a cool shower allow my muscles the proper tools to recover and that means less injury or days to take off the gym.

I work out about 5-6 days with 1 day of rest. 4 days are CrossFit workouts, 1 day is a more toning workout and strength training with a little cardio, another day is typically a more HIIT workout style with light weights or an ab day. I can do this due to how a recover after my workouts. Find what works best for you and your body and DO IT! Now, let’s go kick our workout’s butt for today!!

XOXO

Karen Giuliana