While you might be tempted to lie on the couch when muscles ache, this is not always the best idea. While resting an injury can be smart, resting because of normal exercise-related aches and strains is not always the best idea. Here are some tips that will help you alleviate muscle pain and continue exercising.
During a workout, it is common to feel a burning sensation, especially during weight or strength training. This is caused by the release of lactic acid, and in order to alleviate the buildup of this acid, it is important to make sure your exercise routine is balanced and safe. As a rule, if you have a proper workout, soreness will fade within an hour. If you can barely move the day after a workout, this is an indication that you might not be exercising properly.
We have often been told that stretching before and after exercise is important. Stretching is important, but before you stretch, you need to warm up. The warm up and cool down part of your workout is a huge element in your quest to avoid muscle aches and pain. Warming up allows blood and oxygen to flow to your muscle groups. Cooling down allows muscles to gently move from heavy exercise to rest.
Warm up is not complicated. Just do a light walk for about five or ten minutes before really starting an intense workout out. You can combine walking with some jumping jacks or even climb up and down your stairs a couple of times. Basically, you just want to get the blood flowing. Warm muscles are ready for exercise, cool muscles are not. If you have ever watched a basketball game, you will note that the players wear jackets on the bench. This helps keep the muscles warm and reduces risk of injury. Cool down is also important and is just as easy. Just do some light walking for about 10 minutes or so after a workout.
A balanced exercise routine also means that you give muscles a chance to rest between strength training sessions. You can do some cardio every day, but you shouldn’t work the same muscle group with weights or strength-training exercises two days in a row. Your muscles need some rest from this type of exercise, so plan on strength training every other day or every two days.
However, by rest, this doesn’t mean simply sitting on the couch and doing nothing. Movement allows blood to flow, sending healing oxygen to the sore muscles. At the very least, take a 5-minute walk several times during the day or take a good brisk walk around the neighborhood. You don’t have to do a cardio kick-boxing routine, but moving around can truly alleviate muscle aches.
If you would like to protect sore muscles but still work out, consider purchasing a physiological hybrid shape, such as the one produced by RapidForce. These physiological hybrid shapes are adhesives that you place directly on a sore muscle. The unique design protects the sore muscle from injury and draws strength from nearby muscle groups. Many athletes have reported that physio hybrid shapes alleviate pain and improve movement and flexibility.
You can purchase physiological hybrid shapes for the shoulders and knees, as well as the lower or upper back areas. Because it rests on the body with a hypoallergenic, medical-grade adhesive, it won’t fall off during vigorous activity.
Nolan Berrie loves writing and saving money. For more details about RapidForce products or to find a helpful shoulder pain relief product online, please check out the RapidForce website today.
