Do You Really Need to Cool Down After a Workout?
Briefly

The article discusses the importance of cool-down sessions after workouts, highlighting that while warm-ups are proven to enhance exercise effectiveness and reduce injuries, the necessity of cool-downs is less definitive. Personal trainers often recommend cool-downs to gradually lower heart rates and aid in recovery, but recent insights suggest that for many individuals, particularly those pressed for time, skipping the cool-down might not negatively affect workout results. It notes that a quick recovery state generally involves heart rates falling below 100 bpm, with less emphasis on structured cool-downs.
A cool-down is typically some form of easier movement that acts like an offramp from a workout, allowing the heart rate and blood pressure to slowly recover.
Research has shown that as little as nine minutes of dynamic movement before exercise can reduce injury and make a workout more effective.
If you rush from your spin bike to your morning commute, you likely won't sabotage your workout gains or recovery.
Generally, a cooled-down state is when the heart rate comes down below 100 beats per minute and breathing returns to normal.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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