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.
To warm up, jog in place or walk up and down the stairs a few times or do some jumping jacks. You need to get blood flowing to the muscles before you stretch. This alone can keep muscle aches at bay. For a cool down, do a gentle walk and keep moving for 5 or 10 minutes after the really intense part of the workout. In addition, don’t make your exercise routine too intense at first. You need to start slow and build up intensity, thus allowing your muscles days and weeks to get stronger.
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.
If you do need to rest a sore muscle, this doesn’t mean you should just do nothing all day. In fact, a little light exercise, such as a brisk walk around the neighborhood, can be very beneficial for your muscles. Just be sure not to overdo it and remember to do a warm up and cool down. You can even do a light 10-minute walk several times each day. After you have walked for a few minutes, you can even add in a few light stretching exercises.
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.
A medical-grade adhesive ensures that the physiological hybrid shape won’t come off during exercise, and the shapes are hypoallergenic, as well. There are shapes for the lower or upper back, as well as the knees and shoulders, all areas common to muscle aches and pains.
Nolan Berrie enjoys writing and saving money. To get more information about RapidForce products or to find a helpful shoulder pain relief product online, please go to the RapidForce site now.