If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you already know that sitting back and relaxing right after a strenuous workout isn’t ideal.
According to reports, after indulging in a heavy workout, it’s essential to bring your body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure back to normal levels.
Instead of sitting back after your intensive workout routine, try these beneficial cooldown exercises to promote better blood flow, relax your muscles, and reduce stress on your heart.
Six cooldown exercises
Easy walking: Taking a brisk walk for 3 to 5 minutes after your workout is one of the most straightforward ways to return your body to a normal temperature.
Standing forward bend: To target the entire back of your body, from the calves to the upper back, try the standing forward bend yoga pose.
Shoulder stretches: To cool down your shoulder area, perform shoulder stretches. There are various forms you can practice to increase flexibility while cooling down after an intensive workout.
Corpse Pose: Another form of yoga, where you lie down on the ground facing upward. This simple yet beneficial cooldown exercise can help bring your heart rate and blood pressure back to normal levels, all while you relax and intentionally count your breaths.
Chin-to-chest stretch: This exercise focuses on the neck and upper back. Practicing this stretch after a workout can help release tension in the targeted areas.
Standing side reach: Basic yet effective, this stretch can be used before an intensive workout. Try it afterwards as well, to cool down and relax the muscles from your hips to your arms.
Concluding your workout with these easy-to-do cooldown exercises will leave you feeling complete and satisfied, while also providing health benefits.
However, while cooling down, keep this tip in mind, Healthline advises, “Allow yourself enough energy to complete your cool down without pushing yourself beyond your limits. Go only to your edge and never bounce or force your way into any position.”
