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Recovery

10 replies

nocluewhat · 20/03/2022 18:19

Hello Smile
A few months ago I joined a gym - it's a bit like CrossFit - but not an official CrossFit gym. I usually go to classes which focus on strength and conditioning. However I'm pretty clueless on recovery - other than a cool down at the end of the session. Unfortunately I tend to go straight to work and sit at a desk all day and I'm finding that my muscles are very sore by the next day - to the point that it outweighs the high of the gym class, as I spend the following 48 hours in pain. I was wondering about trying some protein power - but as above, I'm clueless on what to look at. I am fairly overweight, so I'm conscious of not wanting to put on more weight by having a protein shake. I really like the gym and would like to go more, so I just need to workout how to help my recovery as much as possible. Any advice gratefully received!

OP posts:
MsMartini · 20/03/2022 18:25

Are you getting DOMS?

www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/pain-after-exercise/#:~:text=Sore%20muscles%20after%20physical%20activity,intensity%20of%20your%20regular%20workout.

If so, it usually gets better, I have found, as you get more used to your exercise regime, but I still get it when returning after a break, after extra big workouts or sometimes new exercises. There isn't much evidence that anything helps but it makes sense to eat well (balanced inc protein), drink plenty - I am often very thirsty the day after a big workout - and try to keep active.

nocluewhat · 20/03/2022 19:08

Yes I think it probably is doms. I've been going since October so I was hoping it would have improved by now Confused

OP posts:
MsMartini · 20/03/2022 22:47

How often are you training?

MsMartini · 20/03/2022 22:53

I've found if I hit each muscle group twice a week, it helps keep DOMS at bay. And I know about your desk job, but I find running helps, and brisk walking and Pilates, though there are so many variables it is hard t know for sure.

I don't think you need protein shakes necessarily, they are just a quick way of getting some fluid and protein in.
www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/body-building-sports-supplements-facts/
www.coachmag.co.uk/supplements/6608/do-you-really-need-that-protein-shake-one-expert-doubts-it

nocluewhat · 21/03/2022 16:56

Thanks @MsMartini
I'm only training a couple of times a week as that's all I can fit in at the moment. The doms are so painful I often wake at night Sad

OP posts:
MsMartini · 21/03/2022 19:15

Mmm, sorry to say it but that may be why I think. You can't be hitting all the muscle groups regularly - they won't be coming round often enough, at enough intensity. If you can manage three days you may find that helps.

ExMachinaDeus · 22/03/2022 14:38

However I'm pretty clueless on recovery - other than a cool down at the end of the session. Unfortunately I tend to go straight to work and sit at a desk all day and I'm finding that my muscles are very sore by the next day

That's just DOMS (a fancy name for soreness of muscle when you use them in unaccustomed ways) - the best remewdy is 'active recovery' - the nest day. A long walk, a swim, more exercise of a different kind.

You also need to look at your cool down: is it a good 15-20 minute stretch of all the major muscle groups you've pushed in your session?

I do 2 PT sessions a week, which combine heavy lifting (I'm failing at deadlifting 100kg, but training to lift that eventually by lifting reps at 90k) with metcon - yesterday it was 25 cals on assault bike followed by a minute of dumbbell thrusters, followed by a short run, followed by 25 cal on the SkiErg, followed by a minute of burpees, and rise and repeat for 25 minutes.

I then stretch for 15 or 290 minutes, also using a foam roller. I work through:
kneeling quad & hip flexor stretches, into the splits, then into the pigeon pose, then stretching my knee to chest & across my body, then rolling out quads, calves, hamstrings and IT band. With a lot of child's pose & down dogs in between each held stretch. I usually finish with a few back rolls over into the plough pose as this really stretches out my back.

I'm an ex-dancer though so i'm stretching to maintain flexibility as well. But all of those stretches - except for the splits and possibly the Plough - are good for anyone. Hold them for about 5 long breaths, using your breath to relax through into the stretch.

ExMachinaDeus · 22/03/2022 14:41

Oh and I generally do a coupe of lighter group classes - Bootcamp/HIIT and Pump in between PT sessions, plus about 3 ballet classes a week. So as @MsMartini says, I'm using full-body movement beyond my everyday movement (walking etc) 6 days a week usually. And I work at my desk up to 12 hours a day - I tend to stand at my desk though, because otherwise my back can spasms. Sitting for long periods is not good for us!

But it's interesting - I've been pretty much injury free since really ramping up my training.

Chely · 22/03/2022 18:46

Lots of water, multivitamins and protein shakes pretty good on calories if you get powder and mix with water.
I don't do anything special for recovery, doms are better if I stay active between sessions. I have never done stretching and hate the foam roller. We do have an electric massager but I rarely find time to use it, I tend to just potter about going "ooo that's sore" and laugh at myself.

MsMartini · 23/03/2022 13:18

Yes, that NHS link I posted below says "There's no one simple way to treat DOMS. Nothing is proven to be completely effective.".

So I think it is trial and error what works for you, and what measures are sustainable.

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