How to avoid post workout soreness

We all know that feeling of getting out of bed the day after a workout and discovering our legs are stiff and sore as we hobble off to the bathroom. The term for it is DOMS, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

A little bit of soreness reminds us that we have used muscles we haven't used in a while or we are using them in a new way and indicates our muscles are strengthening and repairing. However we don't want this soreness to be so severe that we are in pain and can barely move. 

When returning to exercise after a break (one week or one year) it can be a real shock to the system. Follow these tips to help ensure you avoid crippling muscle pain or injury.

1. Ease into it. Test the waters with a brisk walks, gentle yoga class, light weights sessions etc
2. Warm up well. Let your body know you are about to get moving again. 
3. Don't let your body fool you. While exercising you might feel fantastic and be tempted to push harder, refer back to the first point!
4. Stretch. Stretching after exercise while you are still warm will increase flexibility and can be repeated later in the day or the next day. 
5. Hydrate during your workout, and for the remainder of the day. Especially in this heat.
6. Massage. If you can find time away from the kids or have a partner that is handy with the coconut oil, a massage can increase blood flow, release waste products and encourage the muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients which help them recover quicker.

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The above guidelines are also relevant when returning to exercise post pregnancy. 

​Good luck! x


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