Your exercise routine doesn’t stop when you finish lifting or doing cardio at the gym. In fact, your post-workout routine is just as essential as the exercises you do. These are the three things you should be doing within the 30 minutes of finishing your workout.
0-10 Minutes
Following your workout, in the first ten minutes, you should be stretching and foam rolling. Your muscles take around 30-40 minutes to completely cool down and after they do they contrast. When you loosen them too quickly you can cause injuries. For the first five minutes after your workout, stretch and in the next five minutes, foam roll.
10-20 Minutes
Ideally, once you finish stretching, you should get out of your sweaty clothes immediately because bacteria and yeast build up with damp clothes and can cause irritation and infections. Try and shower within the first 20 minutes following your workout and if you can’t, at least change your clothes. Don’t wait more than an hour before showering.
20-30 Minutes
Before you leave for the gym, when you pack your bag, make sure you bring a healthy snack you can eat after you complete your workout. Choose one that’s high in carbs and protein.
