Cool down routine is an essential part of your workout routine which most people tend to skip. Cool down routine includes stretches and calming poses which help in normalising your heart rate, which tends to increase during work out. Notably, cool down relaxes your body muscles as well and alleviates the post workout soreness.
To get a clarity on the importance of a cool down routine post workout, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Jashan Vij, Health and Weight Loss Coach, Chandigarh.
As per as study, Performing active cool-downs may partially prevent immune system depression and promote faster recovery of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Here’s How Cool Down Routine Is Essential
Skipping the cool down routine after intense workout as you are getting late? Let’s understand from Health Coach Jashan on why you should not skip cool down.
Gradual Heart Rate Reduction
After having an intense workout, your heart rate is elevated, and your blood vessels are dilated. Indulging in a cooldown routine helps you in gradually bringing your heart rate back to its resting state. According to Vij, this prevents abrupt changes, reducing stress on the cardiovascular system.
Reducing Muscle Soreness
A cooldown routine helps in removing waste products such as lactic acid that get accumulated in the muscles during exercise. This can help alleviate muscle soreness and stiffness that may occur post an intense workout.
Facilitating Flexibility and Range of Motion
To maintain and improve flexibility, stretching during cooldown is helpful. After workout, muscles are warm and easily bendable. Taking a fair advantage of this, engage in static stretches. Vij said, “This can contribute to enhanced joint flexibility and an improved range of motion over time. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals engaging in activities such as running, weightlifting, or any exercise that requires a broad range of motion.”
Promoting Mental Relaxation
Apart from your muscles and overall body exhaustion, an intense workout can exhaust your mind as well. As per Vij, a cooldown routine provides a mental transition from the high intensity of the workout to a state of relaxation. He said, “Practising deep breathing or meditation during the cooldown can help reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being.”
Injury Prevention
Excessively intense workouts may sometimes cause muscle or joint injuries. Abruptly stopping intense exercise may increase the risk of injury. “A cool down routine, including stretching and flexibility exercises, helps in maintaining muscle and joint health, reducing the risks of injuries during workouts,” Vij said.
Also read: How Much Exercise Is Too Much Exercise? Dr Explain Its Side Effects On Bone Health
Preventing Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Abruptly stopping intense workout can cause blood pooling in the extremities, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness. A cooldown routine allows for a gradual return of blood circulation to the normal distribution throughout the body, reducing the risk of these post-exercise symptoms.
Conclusion
All in all, a cooldown routine is essential for optimising the physiological and psychological benefits of a workout, promoting recovery, and reducing the risk of potential injuries. Vij said, “It contributes to overall fitness and enhances the long-term effectiveness of an exercise program.”