Fitness Friday #11: Favorite Recovery Tools

Between teaching 8 fitness classes, adding my own yoga practice and running to the mix, there’s a lot of movement in the course of a week. I joke that I have a cycle of teach-train-recover, repeat.

Regardless of the amount of time spent training or attending classes, there’s always a need to help your body recover. Over the years (I’ve been teaching for 6 years this year!!), I’ve learned a few tricks to help my body recover more efficiently between workouts.

Here are five of my top recovery tools:

1. PRO compression socks

I sing the praises of these  socks to anyone who will listen. I’ve written about them before. These guys promote healthy circulation while reducing swelling in the legs and feet and they allow for faster recovery. I wear these on Monday and Wednesday nights, since I teach an evening class and then an early 6:30 a.m. class the next day.

2. Foam roller

Oh, foam roller. I love to hate you. My quads, hips, hamstrings — ok every muscle in my body– get really tight after constant, repetitive movements and sometimes this beast is the only thing that helps. It’s recommended to take it s-l-o-w with no more than 1 inch per second. It can feel super painful for a moment (in a good way), but the next day, it’s so worth it. I’ll share some of my favorite foam roller exercises one of these Fridays!

3. Mint foot scrub

I don’t have any beauty tips or secrets, mostly because I’m very low maintenance, but here is one! Mint foot scrub. Buy it, or DIY it at home (please share if you find a good recipe), but this needs to be in your life for recovery. The scrub and the mint on your feet is a match made in heaven. I don’t like spending money on pedicures, but I have a feeling this creates the same soft feet that you’d get after a paid-for pedicure. Rub it on, really rub it on, get all over your feet, and rinse. Follow up with a pumice stone if you’d like to help remove dead skin.

4. Banana 

On most mornings, after I teach or run, the first thing I do when I get home is eat a banana. Potassium is such a great recovery tool, you’ll  instantly find yourself rejuvenated after a really tough workout. Potatoes are also a good source of potassium, if you’re a banana hater.

5. Citrus

One of the best things I’ve found for aiding muscle soreness? Consuming citrus the day after a hard workout. I wouldn’t want it immediately after a workout, but it feels good the next day. I also like snacking on dried cherries (or fresh ones in season!). These seem to help me, too.

Do you have any trusted recovery tools or methods?