What does 'active recovery' involve?

Active recovery involves engaging in low-intensity exercise on rest days, which helps facilitate recovery from previous workouts while maintaining an active lifestyle. This approach allows the body to recover more effectively by increasing blood flow to muscles, aiding in the removal of metabolic waste, and helping to reduce soreness.

In contrast, complete rest can lead to stiffness and a decrease in overall fitness if not balanced with movement. High-intensity workouts are not conducive to recovery because they place additional stress on the body rather than allowing it to repair. Switching to strength training only could lead to overtraining without appropriate recovery measures in place, especially if the body is still fatigued from prior workouts. Thus, the focus on low-intensity activities is what makes active recovery effective and beneficial for overall fitness and well-being.