Living an active and healthy lifestyle is more than just a trend; it’s a way of life for many including ourselves. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone who simply loves staying active, optimizing your training and recovery routines can make a world of difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore tips and recovery methods that will help you train like an athlete, focusing on techniques like cold plunging, CBD, massage guns, and more!
Training Like an Athlete: A Lifestyle Choice
Athletes are admired not only for their physical prowess but also for their dedication to training and their commitment to recovery. While you might not be preparing for the Olympics or a professional sports career, adopting the mindset of an athlete can enhance your overall well-being. Here’s how:
Set Clear Goals
Athletes always have specific goals in mind, whether it’s breaking a personal record, improving a skill, or achieving a certain level of fitness. Setting clear, achievable goals for your own training can keep you motivated and on track.
Consistency
Athletes don’t just train when they feel like it; they follow a consistent training schedule. Establishing a routine that incorporates both physical activity and recovery is key to achieving your fitness objectives. Building the disciple it takes to live a healthy life has implications that can be clearly seen even outside of the gym, mats, or whatever arena of choice you choose.
Discipline to stay consistent with one task over a period of time is what can separate you from the crowd in life, business, relationships, and in fitness. It is a strong foundation to build upon for life in general!
Nutrition is Fundamental
Your body is like a high-performance machine, and it needs the right fuel to perform optimally. Pay attention to your nutrition and make sure you’re getting the right balance of macronutrients and micronutrients.
We have been in some form of organized sport since we could pretty much run and shoot. Early into our adult years, as organized sports started to fizzle out of our lives (because we are not professional athletes) we were longing to find something that could connect us back to our roots. Martial arts, specifically Brazilian jiu-jitsu, gave us a newfound purpose that has completely enhanced our lives in every way. We became more consistent again, we built real discipline, nutrition became a staple of our routine and we started to take recovery way more seriously.
Recovery is Non-Negotiable
Perhaps one of the most crucial aspects of an athlete’s lifestyle is recovery. This is where techniques like cold plunging, CBD, and massage guns come into play. Let’s delve into these recovery methods and how they can benefit your active lifestyle.
The Role of Cold Plunging in Recovery
Cold plunging, also known as cold water immersion or cold therapy, has gained popularity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts for its potential to accelerate recovery. Cold plunging is done by submerging our bodies in cold water that gets as cold as 45°F, these frigid temperatures have a number of impacts on our bodily functions that lead to better overall well-being. Taking a cold plunge is done either in a dedicated cold plunge tub, at your home in a tub (filled with ice), at your gym, or possibly there is a local business nearby that offers cold plunging services.
Here’s why you should consider incorporating cold plunging into your routine:
- Reduced muscle soreness and inflammation
- Enhanced circulation and muscle repair
- Mood enhancement and stress reduction
- Improved mental alertness and focus
- Potential calorie burn and weight management
- Accelerated recovery post-exercise and so much more!
CBD: Nature’s Recovery Aid
CBD, short for cannabidiol, has taken the wellness world by storm for its potential health benefits. We love using CBD so much, it has been a gamechanger for our recovery and allowed us to mend to dings and bruises that we get along the way. We are not just training BJJ a couple of times a week but also getting intense weightlifting sessions in as well.
Athletes and active individuals are increasingly turning to CBD as a natural recovery aid because of these reasons:
- Pain Management
- Inflamation Reduction
- Improved Sleep Quality
- Improved muscle recovery
Massage Guns
These handheld devices offer precise and targeted muscle relief, making them a favorite among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Their rapid, percussive motions penetrate deep into muscle tissue, helping to release knots, trigger points, and muscle tension. The convenience and portability of these things really helps us enjoy the benefits of training martial arts more because we really do leave those training sessions very sore.
Adding this to our routine for just a couple of minutes a night makes for the perfect balance of training hard and aiding our quest to reach our peak!
Conclusion: Elevate Your Active Lifestyle
Training like an athlete isn’t just about physical exertion; it’s a holistic approach that includes setting goals, maintaining consistency, nourishing your body, and prioritizing recovery. Techniques like cold plunging, CBD, and massage guns can play a significant role in enhancing your active lifestyle.
As you strive for peak performance and overall well-being, consider adopting these recovery methods as part of your journey toward a healthier and more athletic you. Embrace the athlete within you, and watch as your active lifestyle reaches new heights.