Cooling down after a workout is a crucial part of any routine — in the gym, on the field, or even on the Olympic stage. You may see track athletes decrease speed with an extra lap or two, or swimmers head to the warm down pool to start their cool down practice. From preventing injury and minimizing delayed onset muscle soreness, to allowing the buildup of lactic acid to dissipate and preventing the rush of fast moving blood from pooling in your extremities, there are many benefits to recovery after physical activity. This is also true for training programs where you may spend weeks, months, or even years training for an event. Once that event is over and the immediate cool down process is completed, a longer recovery journey begins.
Off- season training can differ for each athlete, based on their own personal preferences.
Time off can be anywhere from days to months, and can sometimes include maintenance training or no training at all. Off-season training differs from peak performance training in that you aren’t striving for goals or improvements; you are simply doing just enough to maintain a base level of strength and ability. Training too hard or too light, or failing to vary your workouts can cause noticeable decreases in endurance and muscle capabilities, making the start of your next season that much more difficult.
Resistance-based training tools are a great resource for off-season and maintenance training. With several resistance levels and weight loads, and the variety of exercises that can be performed with our products, you’ll be able to tailor your training to meet your specific needs.
Aside from building strength, our TurfCordz® Ankle Cordz can be used for agility workouts, abduction, hip flexion and more. Try adding this product to your plyometric lunges to help decrease your reaction time and maintain hip flexibility.
Stretching is also an integral part of muscle recovery and maintenance training. When done properly, stretching can help to prevent injury and improve overall muscle health. The MediCordz® Stretch Strap is a versatile resistance tool to use with your quadricep, calf and hamstring muscles.
Muscle memory and proper form are also areas that can decline in off-season training. This is especially important for swimmers who may spend months, or even years, perfecting the perfect stroke or kick pattern. If you’re taking a break from the pool, maintain your form with our StrechCordz® with Paddles to work on pulling strokes while keeping your hands flat.
