It’s common knowledge that recovery is an important addition to any training schedule, whether you’re an elite athlete, casual gym-goer, or anywhere in between. But how do you actually balance your training and recovery? While it’s definitely easier said than done, it’s important to find the right balance for you. This balance can depend on your sport, training frequency, and a variety of other variables.
How Often Should I Train, and How Often Should I Have Recovery Days?
How often you should train can vary depending on a wide range of factors -
How long have you been doing your sport?
What level are you at?
Are you competing or training for fun?
Are you currently coming back from an injury?
And many others.
If you have a coach, it might be a good idea to chat with them about how frequently you should be training. Another way to decide on your training frequency is to simply listen to your body - if you’re constantly fatigued and sore, this might be an indicator that you’re training too often.
Ideally, you should be including short-term recovery options like stretching and cooling down after every training session. This can help with decreasing DOMS and fatigue. Again, the number of recovery days you should schedule into your routine depends entirely on you, your sport, and your level. Generally speaking, 2 rest days a week should be your minimum. However, these rest days don’t need to be complete rest days. Active rest days where you participate in low-energy exercise like walks, yoga, or stretching can also assist the body in recovering. That being said, complete rest days are also crucial to allow your body to recover.
What Kind Of Recovery Tools are Right for me?
On your complete rest days, it can be beneficial to schedule certain recovery sessions to benefit you depending on what you need. Here at STAR we have a variety of services available to you:
Cryotherapy: great for reducing muscle pain
Infrared Sauna: loosens muscles and joints
Compression: reduce fatigue and DOMs
Contrast Pools: muscular recovery and decreased fatigue
HBOT: increase energy and reduce DOMs
Float Tank: accelerate recovery time and reduce muscle tension
Click on the links above to book in for a session, or, if you’re not sure what recovery option is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re more than happy to provide you with some direction or options that might be right for you.