Your legs take up a large portion of your body, and they are used to hold up everything above them. After a really good leg workout, it is very common to feel really tired. But, why is leg day so much more exhausting than other days? Plunkett Fitness is here to break it down for you.
Post-Leg Day Fatigue
When you push your body to extremes, it will lead to soreness and fatigue. The same is true for your legs. As muscles grow and develop, they often become sore and achy. When it comes to your legs, these muscles have a big job. They are necessary to hold up the rest of your body and help you move around, which you probably do a lot.
To combat post-leg day fatigue, you can eat a small meal containing both carbohydrates and protein within 45 minutes of your leg day workout. At this point in time, your muscles are primed to absorb all of the nutrients contained in the food you are consuming. You could eat a meal of fruit and a whey protein shake or a potato with chicken. A few hours after your workout, you will need to eat another meal to allow your muscles to continue to recover after a hard workout.
You should also never train muscles that are still sore from a previous workout. This means that the muscles haven’t recovered properly from the last workout and still need rest. You could end up damaging and injuring muscles if you overwork them in this way.
Other Ways to Reduce Post-Workout Fatigue
While leg day tends to be particularly exhausting, all workouts can lead to fatigue. There are a few different ways that you can reduce the fatigue that you feel after a really tough workout. One of our favorite ways to combat fatigue is also one of the most obvious: sleep!
While it may seem silly, getting the appropriate amount of sleep after a tough workout is critical to recovery. Damaged muscles rebuild during sleep, so you need to get enough sleep that your body has time to fix your damaged muscles. It is best to get as much uninterrupted sleep as possible after a hard workout.
Stay hydrated! It is so easy to forget to drink water. You need water before, during, and after a workout. Getting enough water can prevent dehydration, which can be exhausting after a workout. Many people also forget that you need to drink more water than normal when you are working out. Try to drink more water throughout the day to combat your post-workout fatigue.
Food is so important to your workout. While eating, in general, is super important, it is critical that you are putting quality fuel into your body both before and after a workout. Lean meats, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables are all great sources of fuel, and they are healthy foods. Snacks like yogurt and fruit can also give you a quick burst of energy. A body that is doing a lot of work will also require more fuel than before. You should expect to eat a little more when you are exercising, even if you are trying to lose weight.
The trainers at Plunkett Fitness can come up with a workout plan for you that includes plenty of rest for your muscles. Our trainers can also help develop a nutrition program that will help you keep your body fueled for workouts and recovery times. A Plunkett Fitness trainer will work with you to see the results that you are searching for, all while keeping your body safe and healthy.
Give us a call today at 913-390-3360 to get started. Our trainers would be happy to meet with you to talk about your lifestyle and goals to figure out the appropriate exercise and nutrition regimen for you.
