So you just got done with a killer workout.  What do you do? Flop down on the floor, catch your breath, and leave? Think again!

We’ve told you before, and we’ll tell you again- the majority of the gains and progress your body makes from the gym happen AFTER your workout.  By not cooling down, you are essentially erasing all of those adaptations you want your body to achieve!  

Here’s why appropriately cooling down will help you:

After a work out, our body prepares to survive the next stimulus it gets, so it becomes stronger; however, it also stiffens up in order to create this strength.  This is good in the short term, but in the long term it leads to your body being too tight and inflexible, and prevents you from reaching the proper positions like the bottom of a squat, holding your arms overhead, etc.  When your mobility is affected this way, you can’t be as strong as you have the potential to be!

Here’s what to do, and it’s not rocket science: Move your body, stay hydrated, and eat properly!

Our goal as coaches in the next month is to provide you with more time for stretching and cooling down post workout to set you up for success moving forward and improve your body’s adaptation ability. We ask that you continue this focus by remembering to keep your body moving for 10-15 minutes after a workout, even after the stretching period.  Go for a walk, hop on a machine, or walk to flush out your tissues and loosen your muscles. This will maximize your hard work so you’re ready to train and thrive the next day!