What's a good way to relax your muscles after much workout?

Question

I jog 6 miles a day and mountain bike 1-2 times a week. Laying down just doesn't cut it for me. I mean it helps, but there must be something better than just laying down to relax my muscles.

Cold showers?
Bengay?
Heating pad?
Ice the body in a bath tub?

Please help!

BTW, when do you use heat and when do you use ice?

Answer 1

Number One, STRETCHING is the very best thing. Do it before the workout to warm up, and afterwards, to work out kinks.

Then, I recommend a hot bath if it's available (and hot shower as 2nd). The heat helps promote circulation to the overtired areas, and helps flush exercise toxins from the muscles into the bloodstream.

Along with that, drink a lot of water afterwards. Once the toxins get into the bloodstream, you need to flush them out of the body, and water helps with that. A drink with lots of electrolytes (Gatorade or Powerade) helps with that, too; even fruit juices, because they replenish some of the vitamins and minerals used during the exercise.

PS--Heat vs. Ice: you use Ice when you've had an initial injury, so as to reduce the amount of swelling to the area. After 24 hrs. or so, switch to heat, because it promotes reducing the fluids that still built up in the area of the injury. You do it for about 20min. on, and 20 min. off, for injury.

Answer 2

Well their are many ways, me personally I like a hot shower, but I have rad cold immersion is supposed to be the best. A massage is always good , accupuncture, just depends on how you put into it and how much you want to spend.
As far as heat and ice as a nurse you treat immflamtion with heat and ice initially to soothe the swelling, and then heat, alternating the two.

Answer 3

Cold showers? that will make it worse. Heat soothes aching muscles, take warm bathes, use heating pads. Don't just sit or lay down after you work out, that creates blood pooling making your body cramp up. Make sure you stretch before and especially after each work out. take your vitamins as well.

Answer 4

do some stretching first like yoga for about 20 mins. then a relaxing shower or bath.

Answer 5

a steming hot bath once your used to the water temp turn on the hot water as hot as you can till you cant stand it lay there and relax dont go to sleep though soak for about an hour your gaurenteed results

Answer 6

walk for 20-30 m

Answer 7

Rotate heat and ice for fastest recovery.

Answer 8

Sauna and cold shower. (hot- cold- hot)
Will work every time (even when you haven't been jogging)
6 miles? Is that it?

Answer 9

id think prolly a warm shower ti relax ur muscles

Answer 10

i watched this show on mtv called "two a days" and they practiced fotball daliy for hours and after practice they would soak in a tub with ice... its supposed to relax ur muscels... you should try it...