How can I reduce stiffness after workouts? page

[orielwen]

After a workout I can often be stiff for a couple of days. I've read conflicting things about stretching or not stretching. Is there anything I can do to stop myself getting quite so stiff?

[bloodorchid]

keep moving, walk around, wiggle, dance, do some stretching

[Gael]

Workout, As weird as it sounds that is the only thing that works for me. When I am all sore the next day I continue anyways, However after a few weeks all muscle soreness goes away except for crazy days and even then it is not the "I HATE STAIRS" soreness but more a tenderness of working hard.

[wolfman]

hit the muscles the next day at much less volume and weight, amino acids, sleep

[jfreaksho]

Movement, through the full range of motion- move your arms around, move your legs around, bend your trunk around. Make all of your muscles move. That seems to help for me.

[counterpuncher]

This may seem odd, but since I've started taking cold showers, soreness has decreased dramatically.

[dgreenwood]

I've pretty much accepted that some soreness is part of the deal if you stay active and workout past your mid 30s but when I get unusually sore and feel like I need to do something to deal with it, I go for a swim. I'm always amazed at how well that relieves DOMS, no matter how severe.

[Chaloney]

Foam rolling

[emerson]

All of the above; foam roll (i use a 4" pvc pipe), stretch, don't stretch, cold bath, cool shower, heat, lower weight higher volume, bodyweight movements, yoga, a good glass of wine after a hard day, sleep, eat big, sleep more. Try any combination and see what works. I have lower back pain and what works best after a workout for me is rolling with the pipe and a lacrosse ball (hamstring, glutes, hips mostly), stretching the areas around what hurts (hamstring, glutes, hips mostly), cool shower, eating really big, and lots of sleep.

[sed777]

All of the above are great suggestions.
I have 2 i'd like to add.

1. Are you doing any type of light cardio at the end of your work out? Some call this a cool down period and the theory is it helps carry lactic acid out. Dunno if that's exactly what it does, but i always notice a difference if i don't walk on a tread mill for 5-10 minutes after a work out.

2. Water... How much water are you having post work out? That can make a huge difference!! More water=more better!