What To Do After A Workout

We talk a lot about the importance of your pre-workout routine, including eating nutritious foods that fuel you, making sure you’re well hydrated, and dedicating enough time to fit in a good warm-up, but it’s easy to forget about your post-workout routine.

Ever finished your workout, then left in a mad dash to get to your next appointment (or plopped straight onto the couch in a sweaty heap)? Yep, us too. 

Your post-workout routine doesn’t have to be anything time-consuming or expensive, but your future self will definitely thank you for prioritising it. It’s all about taking care of your body, maximising your recovery and results, avoiding injury, and doing what you can to be on your A-game for your next session. After all, we’re in this for the long game. Here are a few things to think about.

Cool down

During exercise, especially high-intensity training styles, your heart rate and body temperature increase and your blood vessels dilate. To allow your temperature and cardiovascular system to gradually return to their normal state, the American Heart Association recommends making time to cool down. Choose a low-intensity activity - a 5-minute walk or some light pedalling on an exercise bike is great! Slowing the pace this way helps to avoid the dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous feeling that can occur if you stop exercising suddenly.

Stretch it out

Performing a few static stretches after your workout is a great way to ease muscle tension, cramping and DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), reduce lactic acid, boost recovery and help to increase your flexibility and mobility. The American Heart Association encourages stretching as part of your post-workout routine as your muscles are still warm and pliable. 

Focus on stretching the areas of your body you used during your workout, holding each stretch for 10-30 seconds in a position where you can feel the stretch strongly without it being painful. Always stretch both sides, continue to breathe throughout, and avoid bouncing motions while stretching as this can increase your risk of muscle tears.

If limited mobility is something you struggle with, why not try including mobility training in your routine? The Sweat program Mobility & Strength In Motion, is all about helping you improve how you move.

“Mobility is often thought of as just stretching, but it’s so much more than that,” Sweat’s mobility trainer, Kelly MacDonald, explains. “Mobility training is about the ability of your joints and the strength of all the stabilising muscles to get your body into different positions.”

Grab a foam roller

If you have a foam roller lying around at home or at the gym, self-massage can be another great way to take care of your muscles - either straight after your workout or later in the day. According to Harvard Health, just a few minutes of foam rolling can help make your muscles more receptive to stretching, while research from 2017 suggests that massage therapy after strenuous exercise can be effective in alleviating DOMS and improving muscular performance.

Drink up

This is one of the most important things to do after exercising, as your body can lose a significant amount of water through your breath and sweat. 

According to the American Council of Exercise, water is one of the most essential components of the human body, helping to regulate temperature, protect your organs, aid digestion, dispel waste and transport nutrients to your cells. Your body is made up of about 70% water! 

For regular exercisers, especially those working out in hot climates, it’s crucial for your health and performance to stay well-hydrated before, during and after your training. Being dehydrated can lead to poor recovery, fatigue, dizziness, cramps, constipation, headaches, muscle soreness and loss of coordination. 

If you work out when you’re already dehydrated, your body becomes less able to cool itself efficiently, increasing your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Drinking around two litres of water a day is the general recommendation, but you’ll need to increase this if you’re working out. Get in the habit of having a big drink of water after every session!

“Hydration is often forgotten in the mad rush of finishing a workout and getting out of the gym,” says Sweat Trainer Katie Martin. “I always aim to drink about 500-750ml over the span of my workout and for about 30 minutes after. It’s great for ensuring I am giving my muscles the best opportunity possible to recover.”

Refuel your tank

Whether it’s a nutritious snack or a full meal, try to eat something containing carbs and protein within an hour of your workout. Protein helps with the repair and growth of muscle tissue, while carbs replenish your glycogen stores to restore your energy. 

A research review from 2019 has shown that eating protein soon after exercise and throughout your recovery increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis. Knowing what to eat after a workout can really make a difference to your progress and performance!

Freshen up

As hungry, tired or in a rush as you might be, washing your hands as soon as you can is a must - the last thing you want is to start touching your face or mouth and transferring bacteria from your gym equipment or floor.

It's also best to get out of your sweaty clothes as soon as possible to avoid any irritation or infections from the buildup of bacteria where moisture has been trapped - especially leggings and underwear.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association also says to consider showering immediately after your workout to rinse away bacteria that can cause clogged pores and skin problems. 

If you aren’t able to shower straight away, try to change out of your workout clothes and wash or use wipes on your face.

It’s time to chill…

No matter what training style or Sweat program you’re following, your muscles need time to recover and grow stronger, and this happens during your rest time - not your workout time. 

Following a training session, try to prioritise some self-care and restful activities to boost your recovery. At the very least, make it a priority to have a good night’s sleep! If you’re doing consecutive workouts, alternate muscle groups or switch up the intensity to avoid overtraining, injury and fatigue.

Tinker with the temperature

This one isn’t a post-workout must-do, more of a quick tip! If you’re looking to maximise your recovery, feel better after exercise and promote better skin health, you could try experimenting with your shower temperature. 

Many people use ice baths or cold showers because they find it helps to reduce inflammation and muscle tension, some opt for a lukewarm rinse post-workout to prevent their skin from becoming irritated while others believe a warm shower is best to increase circulation and the flow of nutrients to muscles. There isn’t enough evidence to recommend one over the other, but if either makes you feel better, that’s a win!

Have an attitude of gratitude

Sweat Trainers Katie Martin and Kelsey Wells are both huge fans of taking a moment to thank yourself post-workout - for taking the time out of your day to move your body, care for yourself and celebrate what your body is capable of. 

“When you take the time to get really intentional with what’s happening in your mind too, it’s a game-changer,” says Kelsey, who incorporates moments of gratitude into her Redefine Fitness program because of how much of an impact it has had on her own fitness journey. 

“Taking a moment to be grateful for the time you took to move, sweat, lift your heart rate and strengthen your body is super important,” adds Katie. “It may feel weird at first, but I find it helps me stay consistent with my routine and remind myself that I train for longevity, not to chase calories or a certain body type.”

When it comes to boosting your health and fitness, it’s just as important to think about how you take care of yourself after your workouts as it is to challenge yourself during them. What are you going to start doing as part of your post-workout routine? Let us know on the Sweat forum!