Once you’ve got a Tough Mudder in the diary and you’ve started to consider how the hell you’re going to get up Everest, it can be easy to prioritise working out. But getting course-fit doesn’t just happen in the gym or out on runs, it happens on the days when you kick back and relax too. We believe that recovery is even more important than training so we wanted to find out why and how a muscle gun (of any branding) could help you get the best of your rest days.
Why is Recovery So Important?
Without allowing our bodies to rest and heal we’re in danger of damaging our muscles. This can core inflammation, soreness and and fatigue – the three worst words anyone training ever hears. These issues aren’t just unpleasant, they can hinder your progress and take you out of the game for sometimes weeks or months at a time.
Dr Chris Kolba, a physical therapist, explains that small damages are made to the muscles during workouts because of the stress put on the body, and while in the long run this leads to positive changes (like muscle growth), rest and recovery is required so that your body can do it again, and do it better. Making sure that if you’re going to make the effort to get up, get out and exercise, you’re reaping the best rewards you can.
How Can a Muscle Gun Aid Recovery?
The perfect rest day includes plenty of healthy, protein-packed meals (there’s no need to cut back on calories because you’re not exercising, just listen to your body), lots of water, good quality sleep and if you get itchy feet – a low-intensity, relaxing yoga session.
But if even getting up the stairs feels like an insurmountable activity because of muscles soreness or tightness, then adding a muscle gun to your rest day could help. When you use the muscle gun the vibration of the attachments to a specific area on your body will increase blood flow and break down knotted muscles. This will relax tight muscles, reduce soreness and relieve stress. But best of all, it helps to shorten the recovery time between workouts so you can be back on your feet in no time.
