As a fitness coach I have had people ask what they can do more of to improve their health and fitness. Many people listen to suggestions surrounding strength training and nutrition, but flexibility training and recovery techniques are often dismissed. It is however, the balance of functional training, nutrition and recovery that allows us to reach optimal results.
I often say that it is our job as fitness instructors to guide you about when to push through and when to back off. Flexibility and recovery exercises are what help us unwind the tightened and damaged muscles to help us heal and move forward.
Here’s a quick Do & Don’t list for localized icing and ice baths.
Local icing for injury recovery helps decrease pain and inflammation, and enhances healing.
As with localized icing, ice baths help to constrict blood vessels, flush waste, reduce inflammation and stimulate recovery. Ice baths differ from localized icing in that they affect the entire region of intertwined muscle. If ice baths are new to you, like anything you should start slowly, gradually working your way up in time and down in temperature.
Remember, flexibility training and recovery are just as important to your fitness regime as anything else.
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