Completing a great workout brings a sense of accomplishment. Whether you hit the gym, run, or swim laps, regular exercise is beneficial to your body, mind, and spirit. However, there’s another feeling that accompanies an intense workout, the unpleasant ache of sore muscles.
Read on for some surefire tips to help soothe sore muscles after an intense workout.
Understanding Post-Workout Soreness
When you’ve invested the time and energy to exercise, sore muscles can be discouraging, but don’t give up. Muscles hurt after a workout is because we stretch and challenge our bodies through exercise. This causes microscopic damage to the cells and surrounding connective tissue. This damage is actually a good thing, causing the muscles to repair and rebuild stronger and larger.
Sore? Don’t Give Up!
Remember, sore muscles are common at the beginning of a new exercise regimen, and things typically improve with time and repetition. If you’re dealing with sore muscles, keep up your workouts, taking it easy as you strengthen and tone. However, If the pain is having a big impact on your daily routine, you may want to reassess.
3 Fixes For Sore Muscles
Time is the best healer for sore muscles, but there are plenty of things you can do to ease muscle pain.
Heat & Ice
The practice of using heat and ice has stood the test of time for a reason. Ice can relieve the swelling that accompanies sore muscles, relieving some tension. On the other hand, heat also relieves tension and may increase blood-flow, allowing muscles to heal faster.
Hydration
During and after your workout, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps flush out the toxins and waste from your muscles, easing soreness.
Keep it Moving
Even though you feel like hitting the couch and binging your favorite show, don’t. The worst thing you can do is to stop moving altogether, as this will slow healing as it decreases blood flow to affected areas.
7 Products That May Relieve Post-Workout Muscle Pain
Looking for some extra help to soothe your sore muscles? We’ve gathered 7 products that bring natural, fast relief.
Tiger Balm Muscle Rub
Be sure to keep Muscle Rub from Tiger Balm in your gym bag or medicine cabinet! With a blend of camphor and natural menthol, this pain relieving cream gets the job done.
Muscle Relax from Oregon’s Wild Harvest
Muscle Relax from Oregon’s Wild Harvest is an herbal supplement containing hops, valerian root, and skullcap tops. This organic blend may promote muscle relaxation after a tough workout.
Sore Muscle Rub Cooling Blend from Badger
Looking for all-natural relief from muscle soreness? Cooling Blend Sore Muscle Rub from Badger is an organic balm that supports muscle comfort with a pleasant, cooling sensation.
HylaRub for Joints & Muscles from Hyalogic
HylaRub for Joints and Muscles is a natural cream from Hyalogic, which uses hyaluronic acid, emu oil and CMO to soothe sore muscles and joints.
Joint and Muscle Warming Rub from Herb Pharm
Looking for a warming rub to help ease your post-workout soreness? Joint and Muscle Warming Rub from Herb Pharm contains herbs such to massage away discomfort.
Sports Gel from Boericke & Tafel
Sports Gel by Boericke & Tafel is a topical cream designed to provide temporary homeopathic relief from muscle soreness, aches, and pains.
Warming Body Balm from Himalaya
Warming Body Balm from Himalaya contains a soothing blend of essential oils, including eucalyptus and rosemary, to soothe and warm sore muscles.
How do you recover from a great workout? Share your tips for soothing sore muscles with us in the comments section below.
