Pro tip 1. Rapid Strength Gain :
Eat some protein and healthy carb combo (yes, both!) within a couple of hours after your class to fuel muscle recovery. That—along with some before-bed stretching—will help ease any soreness the next day.
Pro Tip 2. Injury Rehab/ Prevention
Stretching the muscles around the joints is also necessary. Strong and flexible will keep you safe well into your “hip replacement years”...but without the hip replacement!
Pro Tip 3. Improved Posture
Remind yourself to pull your shoulder blades together and down your back while lengthening through your neck, all day long. Do it while you walk, drive, sit at your desk, have drinks at happy hour (you get the point). Practicing good posture will prevent upper back and shoulder fatigue. Plus, you’ll also look and feel more poised and confident in the process. That’s a win-win!
Pro Tip 4. Increased Flexibility
Holding a stretch for more than 30 seconds while taking deep breaths is the beginning of genuinely increasing your flexibility. But holding a stretch for 60 seconds or more is how you permanently start to change your muscle fibres, making the lengthening and flexibility really, really real.
Pro Tip 5. Focus and Meditation Enhancement
When you’re about to give up the current movement because your legs are shaking while simultaneously on fire, bring your attention to your breath. Focus. And I’ll bet you you’ll make it to the end of the squat-pulse series that feels like it’s killing you.