Work Hard, Rest Harder.
Get your body in prime condition with these must-have recovery tools and tips.
There is so much emphasis on pushing your body harder and harder to achieve your desired results, but the real growth happens when we balance that hard work with a quality recovery routine. Think about if you were to see the check engine light go on in your car, would you ignore it or would you get the routine maintenance done? Just like a car, your body can only handle so much wear and tear without breaking down. Recovery such as rest, hydration, stretching and proper nutrition is the key to keeping our bodies in working condition, prevent injury, and to help us bounce back faster when we do get hurt.
Here is a quick peek at some of my favorite recovery tools:
Pso-rite: their collection of high quality durable myofascial release tools are perfect for those hard-to-reach muscles. I personally love the pso-back to release those paraspinals, and the mini pso-rite to get my neck and traps. I give their products a solid 5/5 when it comes to "bang for your buck." At first glance, it can be difficult to justify the price, but once you try it, it will easily become a regular part of your recovery routine.
Next on my list of favorites is my favorite foam rollers of all time, Rollga foam rollers. Most foam rollers are firm and flat, but these ones have dynamic dips and bumps that form perfectly to cushion the spine and the joints as you roll. There are three densities of rollers that come with a carrying strap as well as a selection of smaller myofascial release tools that easily fit in your bag when you're on the go. I really love the medium density roller and the activator massage ball. (Their customer service is fantastic as well!)
I would also definitely recommend checking out the new line of massage tools from Eggweights . Because they are metal, you can also stick these in the fridge before using for some extra cold treatment for the muscles. The customizable design makes it incredibly versatile. You can also take the grip off one of your regular metal eggweights and use that too.
Aside from massage tools, you can yield even better results when using them in conjunction with topical treatments. I like to take an epsom salt bath using Coach Soak products. My favorite scent is the cooling peppermint. It is awesome for reducing inflammation and soreness. The Coach Soak products are also great for making a warm compress for injuries and extra tender muscles. In addition to epsom salt soaks, I really have been enjoying CBD recovery products. Lately, I have been using Pso-Good cooling CBD rollerball and the salve on my neck and my mid back and it works like a charm. I'm not an expert on the different types of CBD products but so far I've loved what I've tried and definitely recommend trying out the benefits for yourself.
Of course, if you don't have the funds to splurge on all these incredible products, you can try these frugal-friendly hacks and tips:
Use a tennis ball or a lacrosse ball to massage out sore muscles.
Throw yourself into an ice bath to reduce inflammation (be warned, it isn't easy!)
Make sure you stay hydrated
Warm up before working out and stretch afterward
Ask a friend or your significant other to help you massage those areas you can't get yourself. (I usually bribe my husband to get my mid-back knots with the promise of ice cream and it works 9 times out of 10.)
Most gyms will have foam rollers and massage tools available for use. Just make sure you wipe them down well before and after.
Fill a small paper cup with water and freeze. Peel off the paper and use the rounded ice cube to massage inflamed muscles
Taking a rest day to actively address soreness and to allow your muscles to recover is crucial for better performance and function. Remember to take care of your body just as much as you push it.
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Want a discount on some of these products? Here's an exclusive discount code for you!
Rollga: "CHLOEPUFF" for 15% off
Eggweights: "CHLOE10" for 10% off