Progressing on a Fitness Program: Recovery

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An essential part of a fitness training program in addition to exercise and nutrition, is appropriate rest and recovery. Unless and until an individual following a fitness training program is not fully recovered from their previous sessions, it may become difficult to progress ahead with the program without hitting a plateau. Although recovery from exercise itself is an ingrained process that the human body is capable of accomplishing on its own, the only catch being the time it may take to do so.

While it is advisable to follow certain training strategies to help with recovery, they alone can’t get the entire job done. That is why coupling training strategies with proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, stress management, etc. is a better approach to an effective and efficient recovery from an exercise session. A diet that caters towards appropriate macro and micro nutrient intake so as to supply the body with enough nutrients and hydrating yourself properly throughout the day especially before, during and after exercise to avoid dehydration is a good place to begin. Training programs should be periodized so that they accommodate periods of low intensity in between high intensity sessions. Sleep especially good quality deep sleep may be extremely beneficial in comparison to low quality and disturbed sleep. Stress in addition to being a crucial factor is also the most overlooked one. Stress possesses the capability to turn things around if it can be efficiently managed.

While these are just some of the factors mentioned that can work in your favor and aid as effective recovery tools, it is always wise to evaluate your training and nutrition program on a regular basis so that you keep on moving in a direction that takes you closer to your goal and not further away from it. 



Note: Before starting/changing an exercise and/or dietary/supplement program consult a qualified doctor/health care professional.

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