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"headline":"10 Cool Down Exercises To Do After Any Workout",
"datePublished":"August 03, 2019",
"description":"Want to feel better and less sore after exercising? Check out our 10 favorite cool down exercises for after workout!",
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<article>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="#section1">Why It’s Important To Cool Down After Workouts</a></li>
<li><a href="#section2">What Should A Cool Down Include?</a></li>
<li><a href="#section3">The 3 Components of a Cool Down</a></li>
<li><a href="#section4">10 Cool Down Exercises</a></li>
<li><a href="#section5">Cool Down Exercises—Wrapping Up</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<section>
<p>Woo! You made it through another workout. You’re tired, but satisfied, and ready for a shower (and maybe <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/" rel="noreferrer">something to eat</a>).</p>
<p>But <i>hang on just a second</i>! There’s one more thing to do before you call it a day: <i>your cool down</i>.</p>
<p>The benefits of doing a few cool down exercises during your post workout routine are significant—and backed by science. They give your muscles time to relax, help jump-start your body’s recovery, and honestly, just feel good!</p>
<p>In this article, we’ll look at why cooling down is important and the 3 components of a good cool down. Then we’ll give you our 10 favorite stretches and exercises you can do right at home.</p>
</section>
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<section id="section1">
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<h2>Why It’s Important To Cool Down After Workouts</h2>
<p>Think about it this way: your body undergoes some serious changes so that you can work out.</p>
<p>Your core body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate, and heart rate increases. Heck, even your pH levels change<sup>1</sup>—all so you can get after it during <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/" rel="noreferrer">your workout</a>!</p>
<p>Abruptly stopping a workout can cause blood to pool in your muscles <sup>2</sup>. Gradually transitioning, along with other benefits, gives the body time to relax, adjust, and restore a sense of normalcy.</p>
<p>Take a short buffer between exercising and completing your workout. This gives your body time to return those systems (heart rate, breathing, body temperature, etc.) to baseline. </p>
</section>
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<section id="section2">
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<h2>What Should A Cool Down Include?</h2>
<p>Pick cool down exercises and activities that promote muscle healing, recovery, and removal of lactic acid. Think of cooling down as a short transition between exercise and regular life.</p>
<h3>What is Lactic Acid?</h3>
<p>Lactic acid builds up in your muscles during intense exercise <sup>2</sup>. It’s a normal process, but if it stays there, you’ll end up with sore, fatigued muscles. That’s one reason a cool down is so important.</p>
</section>
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<section id="section3">
<h2>The 3 Components of a Cool Down</h2>
<h3>1. Gentle Exercise</h3>
<p>No need for a second workout or anything too crazy here. You just <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/" rel="noreferrer">worked out</a>, after all. </p>
<p>Pick a few gentle exercises, meaning nothing that will elevate your heart rate too much. Even a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/10-reasons-why-walking-is-the-best-exercise" rel="noreferrer">brisk walk</a> works perfectly.</p>
<h4>What Are Some Good Cool Down Exercises?</h4>
Pick exercises specific to your workout. Mimic, modify, or repeat some of the exercises you did during your workout. This way you’re circulating blood in and out of the muscles you just used.</p>
<p>For example, if you did a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/6-bodyweight-leg-workout-progressions-you-can" rel="noreferrer">leg workout</a>, now do 10 to 15 of your favorite squat variations or a few <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/glutes-101-best-exercises-for-your-gluteus-maximus/" rel="noreferrer">glute activation exercises</a>.</p>
<h3>2. Stretching</h3>
<p>Second on your cool down list: light stretching. Stretching is beneficial for 3 reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Stretching reduces lactic acid in the muscles, meaning you’ll be less sore tomorrow and less fatigued the rest of the day <sup>1</sup>.</li>
<li>It increases joint range of motion, which keeps your joints healthy. And because your blood was just pumping, you can probably stretch further than when you’re cold.</li>
<li>Stretching <i>feels</i> good after a hard workout!</li>
</ol>
<h3>3. Food and Water</h3>
<p>Maybe this is “part 2” of your post-workout routine, but no cool down is complete without refueling and rehydrating. </p>
<p>Drink a big glass of water (perhaps with a bit of sea salt in it for electrolytes) and plan to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/" rel="noreferrer">eat something</a> to promote muscle recovery.</p>
<p>You don’t have to eat <i>immediately</i> after you work out. Some people can’t eat right away. However, several studies have found you’ll add more lean muscle if you eat a good meal within an hour of exercising <sup>2</sup>. </p>
<p>Actually, a few extra carbs after your workout might <i>help</i> with your weight loss goals <sup>3</sup>. Obviously, if you’re <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/keto-101-a-beginners-guide/" rel="noreferrer">keto</a>, don’t go crazy with the carbs after a workout. But eating a few carbs after exercising <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/when-is-the-best-time-to-eat-carbs-on-keto/" rel="noreferrer">might be the best time</a> of the day for them!</p>
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<section id="section4">
<h2>10 Cool Down Exercises</h2>
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<h3>1. Broom Handle Pass-Throughs</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Pectorals, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/frozen-shoulder-exercises-stretches" rel="noreferrer">shoulders</a>, biceps.</li>
<li><b>How Many?</b> 20 to 30 pass throughs.</li>
</ul>
<p>Place your hands out slightly further than shoulder width on the broom handle. With locked elbows, raise the broom in front of your face, over the head, then behind your body. Finish with your knuckles facing the floor. Then return the broom to where you started.</p>
<p>The goal is to pass the broom through your shoulder’s full range of motion.</p>
<p>Use a PVC pipe or even a stick if you can’t find a broom. This stretch is great for fixing tight or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/frozen-shoulder-exercises-stretches" rel="noreferrer">frozen shoulders</a>.</p>
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<h3>2. Up-Down Dogs </h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/latissimus-dorsi" rel="noreferrer">Lats</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/frozen-shoulder-exercises-stretches" rel="noreferrer">shoulders</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/best-at-home-exercises-for-lower-back-pain" rel="noreferrer">lower back</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/the-3-best-hamstring-workouts/" rel="noreferrer">hamstrings</a>.</li>
<li><b>How Many?</b> 3 sets of 7-10 slow reps</li>
</ul>
<p>Slow these down and really press your hands into the floor, so the shoulders open up.</p>
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<h3>3. Child’s Pose</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Shoulders, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/latissimus-dorsi" rel="noreferrer">lats</a>, quads, hips.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 2 sets of 30 to 60 seconds.</li>
</ul>
Grip the floor with your hands and feel the stretch in your shoulder. Focus on slow, controlled breathing.
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<h3>4. Couch Stretch</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Hips, quads, obliques.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 60 seconds on each leg.</li>
</ul>
<p>Our best stretch for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/5-exercises-for-hip-pain" rel="noreferrer">tight hips</a>, use a couch, chair, or other object to prop your back foot up. Place a cushion under your back knee.</p>
<p>As your <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/5-exercises-for-hip-pain" rel="noreferrer">hip mobility</a> improves, try to move your shin closer to the wall.</p>
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<h3>5. Pigeon Stretch</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/glutes-101-best-exercises-for-your-gluteus-maximus/" rel="noreferrer">Glutes</a>, hips.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 60 seconds on each leg.</li>
</ul>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/glutes-101-best-exercises-for-your-gluteus-maximus/" rel="noreferrer">Butt muscles</a> tired from your workout? Is your <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/5-stretches-for-IT-band" rel="noreferrer">IT band</a> tight or painful? This stretch is perfect.</p>
<p>If this position is uncomfortable, sit up higher or use a couch cushion. Avoid leaning forward, which will put unnecessary pressure on the knee.</p>
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<h3>6. Bootstrappers</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Full-body!</li>
<li><b>How Many?</b> 5, slow and controlled.</li>
</ul>
<p>From a standing position, lean forward at the waist and grab your toes. With a straight back, you’ll feel a stretch in your <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/the-3-best-hamstring-workouts/" rel="noreferrer">hamstrings</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/best-at-home-exercises-for-lower-back-pain" rel="noreferrer">lower back</a>. From here, drop into a squat, pulling on your shoes to initiate a stretch in your upper body at the same time. Return back to a stand, then repeat.</p>
<p>Try doing these on a 10 second count so you aren’t doing another cardio workout.</p>
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<h3>7. Doorway Stretch</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Shoulders, chest.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 30 seconds each side.</li>
</ul>
<p>A simple but effective upper body stretch, place your forearm on the vertical part of a doorway. Gently lean into it. You’ll feel a stretch across your chest, shoulders, and maybe even in your arms.</p>
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<h3>8. Supine Twist</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Abs, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/best-at-home-exercises-for-lower-back-pain" rel="noreferrer">lower back</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/best-oblique-exercises-for-core-strength" rel="noreferrer">obliques</a>, hips.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 2 sets, 30 seconds per side.</li>
</ul>
<p>Perfect for after core workouts or exercises that require stabilization, like push-ups.</p>
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<h3>9. Forearm Stretches</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: Forearms, biceps, shoulders.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 3 sets of 15 to 20 seconds.</li>
</ul>
<p>Seated on your knees, place your hands on the floor so your fingertips point back at your knees. Locking your elbows, push into the floor. You should feel a stretch from your wrists up to your arms.</p>
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<h3>10. Calf Stretches</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>Good For</b>: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/the-5-best-calf-exercises/" rel="noreferrer">Calves</a>.</li>
<li><b>How Long?</b> 2 sets, 20 to 30 seconds.</li>
</ul>
<p>Find a step or thick book. With only the front of the foot (toes and forefoot) touching, shift your bodyweight over to that side. As you lean, your heel will drop to the floor, stretching out the calves.</p>
<p>Great for after a lot of cardio or an intense <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/the-5-best-calf-exercises/" rel="noreferrer">calf workout</a>.</p>
</section>
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<section id="section5">
<h2>Cool Down Exercises—Wrapping Up</h2>
<p>It may be tempting to immediately hit the showers after a good workout, but even a few cool down exercises are seriously beneficial for your body. Your shower (and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/diet/" rel="noreferrer">healthy lunch</a>) will be waiting for you when you’re done.</p>
<p>Besides feeling good, cool downs help keep you flexible, promote recovery, and remove lactic acid, which eliminates next-day soreness after a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.warriormade.com/content/exercise/push-yourself-to-the-limit-full-body-workout" rel="noreferrer">killer workout</a>.</p>
<p><i>Our advice?</i> Don’t skip out on cooling down! It’s one of those healthy habits that people often overlook during their workouts—but you won’t do that, <i>right</i>?</p>
<h3>Resources</h3>
<ol>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://exerciseright.com.au/body-reacts-to-exercise/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">A Timeline of How Your Body Reacts to Exercise</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" <li><a target="_blank" href="href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-lactic-acid" rel="nofollow noreferrer">6 Ways to Get Rid of Lactic Acid in the Muscles</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/flexibility-training/why-important-cool-down-exercise" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Why is it important to cool down after exercise?</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3577439/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window?</a></li>
</ol>
</section>
</article>