You just hit the gym and have wrapped up a killer workout. We all know how great a benefit this can be for your overall wellbeing and health. Many of us have also experienced times when we have pushed ourselves to the brink and are just plain wiped. So how do we recover from a workout? Here are some tips to increase post-workout energy.

Hydrate

Drink. More. Water. You have heard that before, right? Before, during, and after your workouts, water is key to a successful workout regimen. Why is water important AFTER your workouts? During a particularly intense workout, your body uses water to help your muscles bring in more oxygen. Due to this process, the rest of your body will likely be depleted of water. The solution? Drink more and drink often throughout the day to maintain a healthy and stable amount of water. An excellent goal to target is 100 ounces of water per day.

Stretching

After working out, your muscles are broken down, tired, and tight. Micro-tears form in your muscles when doing intense lifting workouts. A critical step in building muscle as they repair themselves post-workout is stretching. Stretching after workouts helps nurture that healing process and allows your muscles to bounce back more quickly.

Feed your body

Remember the old commercial, “Mama says you have to feed a cold?” Well, much is the same after a workout. Exercising affects your blood sugar levels. During workouts, your body converts glycogen, stored in the muscles and liver, into glucose. If you run low on glycogen, blood sugar levels decrease, and you can start to feel low on energy. The goal is to replenish blood sugar, but there’s a right way to do it. Pick a nutritious snack that contains a 3:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio. Some good choices would be Greek yogurt, a recovery supplement drink, a meal of chicken and sweet potatoes, or cottage cheese with fruit.

Take time to rest

This one may sound obvious, but based upon your workout’s timing, some may not consider it. Be mindful of when you choose to work out and how often. Participating in high-intensity workouts five or six days a week will not allow your body sufficient time to recover. “No pain, no gain” might seem like the way to go, but it can be detrimental to your overall fitness goals. You need to slow things down a bit and give your body a chance to rest. Speaking of rest, make certain you are getting a sufficient amount of sleep. Aim for eight hours of sleep per night to avoid feeling sluggish throughout the day.

Following these four basic tips for increasing post-workout energy will pay off in spades for your long-term workout goals. Check out our website and experience our entire line of pre-workout, intra-workout, protein supplement, and more to help you lead a more active and power-packed lifestyle!