If anyone knows the importance of recovery in upping your athletic game, it’s a personal trainer. So, we hit up five of Australia’s best for their top tips on how to take your performance to the next lev. You’re welcome.
Andrew Pap: Founder of Battle Fit Australia
Ben Lucas: Owner of Flow Athletic
I personally like to schedule 1-2 active recovery sessions in per week as while they still allow you to move your body. They are also great for restoring balance and reducing the tightness/inflammation from the harder sessions that you have achieved through the week.
A few ways that I like to actively recover include participating in a yin yoga class, or doing some light swimming or even kick boarding if you find swimming laps to be tough.
I also love to go to my local floatation tank, in which you float in a tank that is filled with a dense Epson salt-water solution. It is a highly effective way of relaxing and relieving stress, and I for one and obsessed with it.
Benefits include increased energy, a boost to the immune system, reduced lactic acid levels and it also aid facilitated rest. Furthermore, Epsom salts are a magnesium and sulfate which act as a muscle relaxant and protein builder for your joints, so while you are decompressing, your body is also absorbing the minerals directly into your muscles whilst you float.
Tegan Haining: Celebrity trainer and author of 7-Day Quickie
Making sure to replenish my fuel tank after a workout with protein and simple carbohydrates to boost energy levels, reduce cortisol and maximise lean muscle development. My favourite go-to is a berry smoothie with protein and coconut milk or water and lots of ice!
Victoria Burdon: Trainer at 98 Gyms
Rest: the value of rest these days is very underrated. A common misconception is that training harder and more often is how you get fitter and stronger, which is not necessarily the truth. Your body needs the rest to make changes. I can’t stress this enough- your body doesn’t get stronger during a workout, it becomes stronger once your body recovers from a workout. Not only do you need to get adequate Z’s at night (ideally 8 hours) but take a rest day or two throughout the week to give your body the time to heal itself from the inflammation and muscle damage from training. Keep moving but eat well and rehydrate on your rest days to fuel your body properly so you can make the most of your time training.
Don’t overdo it: less is more. If you can hit a couple great workouts with an A+ effort, you will benefit more from it than if you’re killing yourself twice a day every day with a half-assed effort just to burn the calories. Focus on your goals and understand how each session is getting you closer to achieving them. When your body doesn’t feel great, there’s no harm in subbing in an active recovery day.
Renee Scott: Founder of Barre Attack
Incorporating Pilates or Barre Attack into your workout routine will improve your quality and quantity of training sessions. The exercises are designed to stretch and lengthen the body, increasing blood flow, mobility and improving flexibility. The low-impact but high-intensity workout will also build your muscle strength and stability, which will assist with injury prevention.
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