Five Super Important Recovery Activities For Elite Athletes

Elite high school and college athletes often overlook the recovery aspect of their daily/weekly routine.  We always tell athletes that you can only perform to what you are able to recover from.  This means that equal emphasis needs to be placed on recovery AND training.  Below are five activities that athletes need to perform daily and/or weekly for recovery.

1. Sleeping 8hrs - When the body is resting it does its greatest repair work.  Sleeping is THE BEST activity for recovery.
2. PNF Stretching - Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching is best for flexibility and mobility.  Performing this type of stretching at least 1x-2x per day in the morning and night will reduce sore muscles.
3. Hot Bath with Epsom Salt - Epsom Salt, or Magnesium Sulfate, is a chemical compound that is great for detoxification baths to aid in sore muscles and stress relief.  This is great after a hard workout, practice, or game.
4. Ice Bath - Ice baths reduce inflammation and improve recovery by changing the way blood and other fluids flow through your body.  When you sit in cold water, your blood vessels constrict and when you get out they dilate.  This process helps flush metabolic waste from the muscles. 
5. Deep Tissue Massage - Deep Tissue Massage treats musculoskeletal issues such as strains, bruises and soreness.  Therapists apply pressure to push toxins out of the muscle as well as promote blood flow to spur healing.

If you are an elite athlete, or an aspiring elite athlete, you must add these activities to your recovery routine to perform at your highest level in the next workout or competition.   

Prepare To Perform