These 8 cool down exercises will loosen up your entire body after an intense workout

We all know a pre-workout warm-up is not to be missed, as it helps to enhance the coordination of your muscles, and prevents injuries. But have you ever thought of cooling down your muscles after a workout? If you haven’t paid much attention to it, then remember you are also missing out on some of its major benefits!

Well, many of us skip this important element of a workout, but you’re advised not to! After all, cool down exercises help to bring your heart rate and body temperature to normal, prevents dizziness, and reduces muscle soreness. Besides, cooldown stretches can help reduce the buildup of lactic acid, which helps to prevent stiffness and soreness in the muscles, promotes mobility and flexibility, and can prepare you for your next workout.

So ladies, here are 8 cool down exercises to try:

1. Toe touch stretch

This pose stretches hamstrings and enhances flexibility in the hip joints. Touching the toes strengthens your lower back, glutes, ankles, and hamstrings. Even if you’re unable to touch your toes, try performing it daily to improve your toe-touching abilities.

2. Seated hamstrings stretch

This cooldown stretch prevents back pain, and improves the flexibility of hamstrings. It also improves your posture, reduces the risk of injuries, and reduces the mobility of the pelvis, which lowers the pressure on your lower back.

3. Low lunge stretch

A low lunge stretches hips, quads, groin, and hamstrings. The best thing about this stretch is that it helps to build mental focus, releases tension in your hips, and can ease lower back pain. It also helps to enhance the strength and flexibility in your hips, shoulders, arms, abdomen, back, and knees.

4. Cross-body shoulder stretch

Doing this stretch for 30 seconds on each side can strengthen and loosen the muscles. It also helps to increase flexibility, range of motion, and prevents injury. Since it releases tension from your body, it also helps to improve your overall well-being.

5. Cat-cow stretch

This stretch targets your back muscles, improves posture and balance, increases coordination, relieves stress and calms your mind, stretches hips, abdomen, and your back. 

6. Deep squat stretch

One of the most popular stretches in fitness circles, squats do not just benefit your quads, hamstrings, and calves, but also give you a full-body stretch. Moreover, they strengthen your upper and lower body, further improving your flexibility and stability.

7. Child’s pose stretch

Child’s pose, also known as balasana, is one of the best stretching exercises to end every cooldown session. It’s safe to perform, so you can stay in this position for a few minutes to relax your body. It lengthens and stretches the spine to tackle low back and neck pain. So, don’t wait to try it out!

8. Bent knee cross-body stretch

When you perform this stretch, keep in mind that your upper body shouldn’t rotate when you stretch your leg to the opposite side. It helps to relax your muscles in the lower back and obliques. This stretch is great for those who experience chronic pain because it’s sure to relax you afterwards!