Cool down

If you’ve exercised at a moderate to vigorous intensity, you will want to spend time cooling down. For cardio exercise, this can mean simply going a little slower for a few minutes. If you were walking a steep incline on a treadmill, then walk slower on a flatter surface. If you were jogging or running, then slow to a walk. Working muscles demand a lot of blood flow. Slowing down allows blood flow adjustments back to other parts of the body. Avoid finishing an intense bout of exercise and then plopping into a chair! If you do, you may feel light headed or sick to your stomach.

After a bout of strength training, dynamic movement can also help in a similar way as mentioned above. Try walking and/ or doing other dynamic movements to help get blood flow dispersed to the rest of the body.

If you plan to do any static stretching, meaning holding muscles and tissues in lengthened positions for a period of time, after the cool down is the time to do it! Muscles will still be warm and accepting of the stretch. More on stretching is provided in the Stretching, Foam Rolling section under Training Modalities.