When it comes to muscle development and tissue recovery, you don’t have to do it all on your own. There are a number of devices and equipment that can make it easier to complete your workout or recover when it’s complete. In today’s blog, we spotlight some items that you should consider adding to your workout or recovery routine to make the process a little easier.
Helpful Items During Or After A Workout
Whether you’re working your way through a fitness routine or pushing yourself during physical therapy, these five items can come in handy. Don’t be surprised if your physical therapist uses any of these items or recommends that you use them at home! Here’s some of our favorite assistive items and products.
- Ice – Good old fashioned ice takes the top spot on this list, and it can really be helpful after an intense workout or exercise routine. Ice or cold packs will constrict blood vessels in an area, limiting fluid movement to a specific spot. If your knees swell or your shoulder oftentimes feels sore after activity, 10-15 minutes with an ice pack can help to control inflammation that could be contributing to discomfort. Just be careful not to apply ice directly to the skin, as this can lead to skin irritation or the possibility of frostbite.
- Foam Roller – A foam roller can help to decrease muscle soreness after a workout. It works by stimulating the nervous system to help relax tension in muscles and surrounding tissues, also helping to expand your comfortable range of motion. Foam rolling can also help to open up blood vessels, improving circulation to tissues that need it most after exercise.
- Resistance Band – A resistance band is an incredibly functional piece of equipment. As we always say when it comes to physical therapy, you get out what you put in, and the same can be said with a resistance band. By tightening the band, you’re naturally creating the resistance that will help the muscle groups become stronger. This helps to ensure that you won’t overload an area with stress while it is recovering from injury or surgery. You can find a number of resistance band exercises that will develop muscle strength and flexibility in different areas of the body.
- Exercise Ball – An exercise ball can be an active or passive compliment to your workout or your daily life. You can do specific exercise ball-related workout routines that help to develop specific muscle groups, or you can sit on a ball for an extended period, as the ball will force you to have healthy posture and strengthen your core muscles. Having a strong core helps to support your spine and pelvic region, which are common areas for injury or discomfort. You can also use an exercise ball as part of a warm up or stretching routine to help prepare your body for activity.
- A Physical Therapist – While we may not be considered a standard piece of equipment, we can certainly help you take your game to the next level or make sure that you come back from injury or surgery quickly and safely. We have a number of tools and a wealth of education and experience that will help us find the right PT plan for you. We also routinely conduct functional assessments so that we can adjust your regimen as needed to ensure you get the most out of every session.
For more ways to step up your workout or recovery period, or to connect with a physical therapist for some personalized advice, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
- Why Is Physical Therapy So Helpful For Pinched Nerves? - September 10, 2024
- How Exercise & Physical Therapy Can Help With Stress Management - September 9, 2024
- 6 Signs Your School-Aged Child May Benefit From Physical Therapy - September 5, 2024
