For the first time in 2 plus years I am not training for a triathlon or for fat loss. Rather I am training for my first power lifting meet since I was in high school and even then it was only a bench press competition.
The thing about power lifting, is that it requires lifting heavy, which you should be doing anyways, but you aren't just lifting heavy. You are lifting close to your maximal lifts frequently and that puts a lot of stress on your muscles, joints and nervous system. Every trainer on the planet talks about the maximum benefits of optimal recovery. You can't reach your fitness goals without it.
If you are a client of mine or have heard me speak on this topic at all, you know that I am a hyyyyuuuuuuuge proponent of foam rolling and massages. Still, I am always looking for something else to help give me that little extra edge to help my muscles recover.
After reading an article a while back by Dan John, I started utilizing one of his techniques that is working out amazingly well. It's called a hot tub. Every night after a lifting session, I hit the hot tub for a minimum of 20 minutes. I'm not talking about getting in and when you get hot you sit on the edge. Nope, I'm talking full emersion up to my chin for the full time. I also like to sit by the jets and target my trouble areas, namely my hips and glutes. The combination of heat and jets has allowed my body to repair itself that much quicker and has allowed me to progress faster than both my coach and myself could have expected.
If you have access to a hot tub, I encourage you to play around with it to help with your recovery. It is well worth the time to invest in yourself to help you progress that much quicker.
