Take a break! What is "Active Rest"?

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As an athlete, you know that hard work is essential to success. But it's also important to give your body a chance to recover. That's where active rest comes in.

Active rest is any type of low-impact exercise that you do to help your body recover from a workout. It's different from passive rest, which is simply taking a break from exercise. Active rest helps to improve blood flow, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent injury.

There are many different types of active rest that you can do. Some popular options include:

  • Walking

  • Swimming

  • Yoga

  • Pilates

  • Biking

  • Stretching

  • Foam rolling

The best type of active rest for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. If you're not sure what to do, talk to a physical therapist.

Here are some of the benefits of active rest:

  • Improves blood flow: Active rest helps to increase blood flow to the muscles, which helps to remove waste products and deliver nutrients. This can help to speed up recovery and reduce muscle soreness.

  • Reduces muscle soreness: Active rest can help to reduce muscle soreness by breaking up lactic acid and other waste products that build up in the muscles during exercise.

  • Prevents injury: Active rest can help to prevent injury by keeping the muscles loose and preventing them from becoming tight.

  • Improves performance: Active rest can help to improve performance by allowing the body to rest and recover from a workout. This can help to improve strength, endurance, and speed.

If you're an athlete, be sure to include active rest in your training plan. It's an important part of staying healthy and performing at your best.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of active rest:

  • Choose activities that are low-impact and easy on your joints.

  • Don't overdo it. Active rest should be gentle and relaxing.

  • Listen to your body. If you're feeling pain, stop and rest.

  • Make active rest a part of your regular routine. The more you do it, the more benefits you'll experience.

If you want to learn more about active rest, contact PAR5 Physical Therapy for more information.

PAR 5 Physical Therapy specializes in helping active individuals in Morris County, NJ get back to exercising and working out pain-free without taking time off or relying on injections/pain medication. PAR5PT offers physical therapy and performance services to all populations, with specialties in Orthopedics, Golf Fitness Training and Rehab, Manual Therapy Techniques, and Wellness Services.

If you’re dealing with anything, big or small, and you have questions, just call/text 973-490-4955.

fitness, exercise, treatmentDr. Paul KochoaPAR 5 Physical Therapyexercise, athlete, rest