Finding the best recovery tool is just as important as your workout routine and diet plan. Yet the recovery part is largely overlooked by most of the fitness. Surely, vibrating back massagers or foam rollers won’t give you the rush of endorphins like your regular workout routine, but they can help you in many ways. For starters, a great recovery program will reduce the stiffness in muscles, increase the blood flow, and reduce injury risk. While the concept of recovery tools is intrinsic to the routine of pro athletes, it hasn’t attained the same level of acceptance among the masses. We provide you with a list of the best recovery tools that will make your recovery more fun and smoother.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, with its promise of potential benefits, has gained popularity among athletes. By subjecting the body to bone-chilling temperatures for a brief period, this therapy offers a range of advantages. From diminishing muscle soreness and inflammation to facilitating recovery and hastening healing, cryotherapy has become a go-to remedy for athletes seeking an edge. One of the primary benefits of cryotherapy lies in its ability to quell the aftermath of gruelling workouts or competitions – muscle soreness and inflammation. The extraordinary coldness contracts blood vessels, an action that curtails tissue damage and inflammation. By constricting these vessels, cryotherapy takes swift action to reduce the adverse effects of intense physical activities.
Portable Ice Bath
You must have seen your favourite athlete indulging in an ice bath after an intense game. Cristiano Ronaldo is a big proponent of dipping in icy cold water, and as per his former coach Carlo Ancelotti, he used to wake up at 3 AM to step into an ice bath. You must be wondering about the potential benefit of subjecting yourself to excessively cold water. Well, the research suggests that it not only speeds up your recovery by decreasing the risk of inflammation but also enhances sleep quality. The good news is that you don’t need such an extensive setup as your favourite athlete; there’s a plethora of companies that manufactures portable ice bath at affordable price.
Vitamin B12 Injection
Vitamin B12 is one of the most common supplements used by athletes, especially those involved in endurance sports, as it helps in building muscle mass and maintaining proper metabolism. It is scientifically established that the injection of Vitamin B12 assists in the synthesis of Red Blood Cells, neurotransmitters and creatine. While meat, fish, eggs, milk, and poultry are healthy sources of this vitamin, an intramuscular dosage is more effective, as it bypasses the digestive system and helps you feel better.
ROLL Recovery R8 Muscle Roller
The Roll Recovery R8 Massage Roller is the brainchild of Adriana Nelson, a seasoned marathoner, and her husband, Jeremy, a mechanical engineer and avid cyclist. Repeated bouts of exercise, such as arduous long-distance running regimens, result in muscular breakdown and regeneration, and employing a tool like the R8 Muscle Roller becomes instrumental in mitigating the formation of painful or distressing knots and adhesions within the connective tissue. This ingenious deep-tissue roller is touted as a game-changer in the athletic world.
Epsom Salt Bath
Whether you’ve strained your muscles in the gym or have bad bruises and rashes, Epsom Salt bath is the one-stop solution for numerous such problems. Deriving its name from a saline spring located in the serene Epsom of Surrey, England, Epsom Salt is not salt but a naturally occurring mineral that comprises magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen. All you need to do is sprinkle some Epsom salt in a warm bather and relax those frazzled nerves.