Contrary to popular belief, neither drops of sweat nor (painful) soreness indicate whether or not there will be a return on investment immediately following an athletic endeavor.
The scene is typical of all sports facilities. After a workout, in the locker room, or once back home, we wonder about the physical effort we just put in. To find the answer, we tend to focus on our sweat rate (did I sweat enough during this HIIT class) or track in the form of severe pains (known no pain no gain) the next day of the session. However, these two phenomena are not a guarantee of efficiency. This is what running coach and physio Scott Browning regularly reminds his students. Last March, the specialist revealed to our colleagues Well and good irrefutable proof that athletic endeavors were effective.
Examine your emotions after exercise
“How are you feeling?” is the question Scott Browning asks each of his students before and especially after each exercise session. According to him, it is important to assess your emotional state after training. Do you feel lighter? Do you have a smile on your face? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, you are on the right track. “The process that leads to fitness should be enjoyable,” explains the trainer. At the end of the session, you should be proud of yourself and what that feeling of achieving something incredible.
But the trick doesn’t end there, because the next day you have to find the desire to go back to the gym and redouble your efforts. As such, Scott Browning recommends keeping some sort of journal of your positive emotions before and after exercise. Obviously, the more we see the benefits of our exercise, the more the brain understands that it’s good for us becomes a stimulating routine. And so, instead of feeling exhausted at the next session, we will be able to feel a charge of energy thanks to the positive spirit that we will cultivate,” he promises.
And those who cling tooth and nail to pain seekers after physical exertion, the sports coach calls for moderation. On the contrary, “extreme pain may indicate that your training has not been very good,” he warns.
Source: Le Figaro