You have just finished your daily long workout whether it be hitting the gym, cardio kickboxing, boot camp, or a run in the park. After your shower you probably feel like flopping down on the couch for a little nap or TV down time. Instead of doing this why not get into a post workout routine of pampering yourself for your hard work. Here are some of my post workout routines for women to reward yourself for your efforts at the gym:

1). Make yourself a refreshing smoothie with your favorite protein powder. The protein will help your muscles recover from the workout.

2). This is my favorite…getting a post-workout massage. This will help reduce the soreness you experience the next day because it rids the muscles of excess lactic acid. It also reduces stress, anxiety, and increases your recovery time.

3). Ice massage is a great way to help your sore muscles recover. It’s the most effective when used within 48 hours after your workout. You can put ice cubes into a freezer bag and apply over the sore areas on your body. Make sure you do not apply directly on the skin due to the risk of frost bite. Instead use a clean dry towel to place over the skin then apply the ice bag over the towel. Remember not to apply for longer than 15 to 20 minutes.

4). A nice warm bath with aroma therapy oils is a great way to ease muscle soreness. Two oils I recommend are: lavender which is great for muscles soreness and aches, and peppermint for alleviating muscle fatigue. Just add a small amount to your bath and relax with some soft music.

4). Grab your yoga mat before bedtime and do a nice post workout stretch. I like to this while watching the late evening news before retiring. I start my stretches working from my neck and finishing with my legs. By doing this it allows me to have a more restful sleep and reduced muscle soreness the next day.

Tags: 30 minute workout, cardio kickboxing, home workout, lose weight, slim and tone, Workout for women, workouts for women

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 7th, 2009 at 12:20 am and is filed under Workout for women. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.