The Art Of Active Recovery

Do you like taking long walks on the beach? Or spending time in nature? How about a leisurely bike ride on a sunny day? 

If so, then you might be interested in active recovery. 

What is active recovery, you ask? Great question! An active recovery is a form of rest that helps the body recover from strenuous exercise. 

Unlike passive recovery (i.e., sitting around all day), which does nothing to improve your fitness level, active recovery increases your heart rate but doesn't wear you out. 

Think of it as the best of both worlds - resting and recuperating while also getting some physical activity. 

Curious to learn more? Read on as we unveil the benefits of active recovery, and tell you our 3 favourite ways to use it!

Active Recovery VS Passive Recovery

In the world of exercise and fitness, there is a lot of discussion about the relative merits of active recovery vs passive recovery. 

On the one hand, many believe active recovery is more effective in helping to promote muscle growth and increase endurance. 

This is because it involves actively engaging the heart and skeletal muscles in low-intensity activities like light jogging or cycling. This keeps the metabolism in the previously worked muscle groups high. 

On the other hand, passive recovery typically involves simply resting or performing light stretching exercises. Some experts argue that this rest allows the body to recover more fully from intense physical activity. 

Ultimately, it seems that both types of recovery are valuable for different reasons.

As such, it may be best for athletes to incorporate active and passive recovery methods into their regular exercise routines.

Why Active Recovery?

In our book, we are proponents of active recovery. We believe that staying active, and blood flowing is one of the best ways to keep the body sharp, energised, and on the road to full recovery, before the next all-out session.

Now let's look at our three most favourite low-intensity means of active recovery!

Walking

Regarding active recovery, few methods are as effective and convenient as walking. 

This form of exercise promotes blood circulation, strengthens the heart, and improves lung function, but it can also be done almost anywhere and at any time. 

Whether you need a break between workouts or want a quick stroll on your lunch break, taking a walk is an easy way to stay engaged with your body and give yourself some much-needed downtime. 

And by incorporating a few different modalities into your routines, such as incline walking and hiking, you can further enhance its effects. 

So if you're looking for a low-impact way to stay healthy, active recovery through walking should be at the top of your list!

Stretching

When it comes to active recovery, stretching is one of the best options out there. 

Stretching has many physical and mental benefits that make it worth incorporating into your daily routine. 

For one thing, stretching can improve blood circulation throughout the body. 

By gently increasing your heart rate and allowing fresh oxygenated blood to flow to your muscles, stretching helps flush the muscles, relax their fibres and slightly boost your recovery. 

In addition, stretching can also have a relaxing effect on the mind. 

Whether doing a short series of stretches in the morning or taking a few minutes at the end of the day to loosen up your muscles and let go of tension, these simple movements can help de-stress and promote overall well-being. 

So why not give stretching a try? With so many benefits, it's sure to be an effective way to actively recover from strenuous activities and keep your body feeling its best.

Manual Therapy & Massages

When recovering from a gruelling workout or training session in the gym, athletes can use many different methods to help speed up the process. 

Some people rely on gentle stretching or light cardio work, while others prefer manual therapy or sports massages. 

These specialised techniques have been shown to reduce muscle tension and promote improved circulation, which is essential for optimal recovery. 

They can also help to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by injuries or overuse, allowing athletes to get back in the game sooner rather than later. 

Though many options are available, manual therapy and sports massages are two of the most effective ways of recovering after a strenuous workout and getting back on track quickly. 

Whether you're an elite athlete or want to stay active, incorporating massage/manual therapy sessions could be just what you need for better results.

Final Thoughts

Conclusion paragraph: So, the next time you feel guilty about taking a day off or slacking on your workout routine, remember that recovery is just as important as the work itself. 

But "rest" doesn't necessarily mean ditching all the healthy habits.

It may just mean decreasing the intensity slightly but still increasing the heart rate!

What's your take on active recovery? Please drop a comment, and let's discuss!