The Real Benefits of Your Post-Workout Cool Down - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance Cooling down after exercise is not essential for everyone, but it offers benefits for blood pressure regulation and circulation, especially for older adults, people with heart conditions, or anyone finishing strenuous exercise Research shows cooling down doesn’t measurably reduce soreness or boost performance, but it helps the body shift out of effort more smoothly and comfortably, similar to gradually braking a car Active cooldowns, such as brisk walking or cycling at low intensity, are more effective than complete rest for clearing lactate, improving mobility, and reducing exercise-induced immune suppression People who train at night or under chronic stress, as well as those doing intense training, benefit most from cooldowns as they help regulate the nervous system and support better sleep If you’re stretching during cooldowns, I recommend doing active isolated stretching (AIS) instead of static ones. Focus on a gentle range of motion within your comfort zone rather than forced stretching