You’ve exercised hard. Read on for easy,
unconventional ways of treating aching muscles. Hint: no ice necessary.
1. Caffeine
You may have found a justification for your
morning cuppa. Researchers at the University of Geprgia (US) discovered that
drinking caffeine, about the equivalent of two cups of coffee, helped reduce
muscle soreness in women after a strenuous workout. It works by blocking
adenosine, a chemical released by your body in response to injury. But don’t
overdo it. Too much caffeine can cause muscle spasms, and of course insomnia.
Drinking
caffeine, about the equivalent of two cups of coffee, helped reduce muscle
soreness in women after a strenuous workout
2. Foam rolling
According to exercise experts, this is one
of the best cures for sore muscles. It involves a technique called
self-myofascial release, which uses pressure and targeted massage to help
prevent scarring of the connective tissue (fascia) between your muscles.
Foaming
Rolling is one of the best cures for sore muscles
3. Epsom salts
Magnesium, the primary component of Epsom
salts, is essential for healthy muscles and is a natural muscle relaxant. The
salts, when added to a warm bath, are absorbed by the skin and are more
effective than taking an oral magnesium supplement. But then, do you really
need a reason to take a nice hot bath?
Epsom
salts
Raising the bar
I was excited to try two Flexi-sports
training tools, the Flexi-Bar and the Xco-Trainer, with personal trainer Gordon
Rayment. We started with the 150cm vibrating Flexi-bar and did a series of
squats, lunges and arm lifts. Then we used the Xco-Trainer set, which are
similar to dumbbells. According to Gordon, they help improve strength,
flexibility, speed, coordination and weight loss. By the end of 45 minutes, I
was sweaty, shaky, but had a huge smile on my face. More info:
flexi-sports.co.za – Sara Mould
Raising
the bar
