Using a foam roller and the right recovery beverage as part of your post-workout recovery routine can be incredibly beneficial for your overall muscle health and performance. Foam rolling, also known as self-myofascial release, is a form of self-massage that helps to release muscle tightness and tension. This can help to improve flexibility, reduce muscle soreness, and prevent injuries. We’ve even partnered with RPM to score you a 30% discount code to score your own!
One of the main reasons why foam rolling is important for post-workout recovery is that it helps to improve circulation. When you work out, your muscles undergo a lot of stress and tension, which can lead to a buildup of lactic acid and other metabolic by-products. These substances can cause muscle soreness and stiffness, and they can also reduce blood flow to the muscles. By using a foam roller to massage your muscles, you can help to increase blood flow and circulation, which can help to remove these by-products and speed up the recovery process.
Foam rolling can also help to improve flexibility. As you age, your muscles naturally become tighter and less flexible, which can lead to a decrease in range of motion and an increase in the risk of injury. By using a foam roller to massage your muscles, you can help to break up scar tissue and increase flexibility, which can help to improve your overall performance and reduce the risk of injury.
In addition to these benefits, foam rolling can also help to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. When you work out, your muscles undergo a lot of stress, which can lead to muscle soreness and fatigue. By using a foam roller to massage your muscles, you can help to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, which can help you feel more energized and ready to tackle your next workout.
Now that you know some of the benefits of using a foam roller as part of your post-workout recovery routine, you may be wondering, "What is the best exercise recovery drink" to replenish and rehydrate you. One option that you may want to consider is FITAID.
What is the best exercise recovery drink?
FITAID is a post-workout recovery drink that is specifically designed to help your body recover after a tough workout. It contains a blend of nutrients and electrolytes that can help to replenish your body's stores and support muscle recovery. Some of the key ingredients in FITAID include:
Electrolytes:FITAID contains electrolytes without sodium, which are important for hydration and muscle function. These electrolytes help to maintain proper fluid balance in the body and support muscle function.
Antioxidants:FITAID contains antioxidants like vitamins C and E, which can help to reduce oxidative stress and support overall health.
In addition to these ingredients, FITAID is also free from artificial sweeteners, making it a more natural and healthier choice for post-workout recovery. FITAID never uses gut-disruptive artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame or ACE-K.
Overall, using a foam roller as part of your post-workout recovery routine can be incredibly beneficial for your muscle health and performance. It can help to improve circulation, increase flexibility, reduce muscle soreness and fatigue, and prevent injuries. And when combined with a high-quality post-workout recovery drink like FITAID, you can give your body the support it needs to recover and perform at its best.
CHEAP : Home Depot - 5 inch PVC - Ok, while technically not FOAM.“These rollers are ultra cheap, rock hard and while they work, they are NO fun. Recommended for calves specifically.” - Michael “Murph” Murphy - Gym Sales
You’re putting in the work at the gym, but aren’t seeing all of the results you hope for. What gives? Chances are, you’re neglecting one of the most important tenets of exercise: recovery. Not to be confused with apathy, there are very good reasons why rest days and recovery should not be overlooked. Here are five of them:
To allow your muscles to repair. You read that right. When participating in fitness, you are creating small tears in your muscles and rest days allow protein to synthesize in those muscles to repair them, which also allows them to grow.
To get quality sleep. Your body does its most repair magic while you are sleeping. Most athletes need between seven to 10 hours to adequately recover. Everyone has heard this before, but we will take the opportunity to reiterate it anyway: put your screens down one to two hours before bed. Blue light and sleep do not mix, therefore, you are not doing yourself any favors scrolling through Instagram while laying in bed before you go to sleep.
To allow your muscles to relax. We can say from first-hand experience that mobilizing can be a mundane activity, but its necessary. Taking the time to stretch and foam roll helps your muscles relax and it’s a great opportunity to catch up on your favorite podcasts or TV show. Multi-tasking for the win!
To move your body in other ways. Just because it’s a rest day, doesn’t mean that you have to spend the day on couch. However, sometimes that’s just what the doctor ordered. If you are feeling anxious to get some movement in, take the opportunity to get some sunshine by taking a walk around your block, going on a bike ride, or jump on a machine like a rower for a nice easy row. You may hear this type of work referred to as “non-exercise movement” which is also helpful to reset throughout your day (especially if you have a sedentary job).
To refill your mental capacity. Exercise takes a toll on your body which is generally easy to confirm by how your body feels, but what most people don’t take into consideration is the impact that rigorous training can also have on your mental health. There are a whole lot of positives that fitness provides, but sometimes you just need to take a day and let your brain rest, too.
Committing to recovery is essential as an athlete, but also as a person interested in general fitness. Are you allowing your body to recover?
LIFEAID has proudly been a Santa Cruz company since 2011, and is completely devastated for our local community as a result of the destruction caused by the ongoing CZU August Lightning Complexwildfires, which have now spread to more than 77,000 acres, with only 13% containment (updated as of Aug. 24). Many of the LIFEAID team's own families and loved ones have been evacuated and/or had homes destroyed by the flames.
Heartbroken, the LIFEAID team has created the Santa Cruz Fire Aid to collect and distribute supplies, funds, and resources for the immediate needs of those in their local community who have been affected by or are still battling the SC wildfires.
You can make a monetary donation to the Santa Cruz Fire Aid at GoFundMe.org
100% of funds & supplies collected will be distributed directly to those in need: Local firefighters, displaced families & wildlife rescue efforts. (Supply list included below with mailing instructions.)
WANT TO DONATE SUPPLIES?
Evacuation centers in the area are also in desperate need of the following items: CLOTHING
- New clothing, the basics (assorted sizes)
- Underwear & socks (new, in package)
- Hats SUPPLIES
- Toiletries (sample-size)
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer & face masks
- Pillows & bedding (sleeping bags/sleeping pads)
- Clean towels
- Plastic tarps
- Family-size tents
- Large plastic storage bins
- Backpacks or luggage
- Pet carriers
- AA batteries
- Reusable water bottles
- Empty spray bottles
- Children's games, books & coloring books FOOD
- Canned goods, snack-size & non-perishable food items
- Ground coffee
- Granola/energy bars
LIFEAID team members are driving all donated supplies directly to multiple locations throughout the city, to help triage the emergency supply item needs as they are requested. (Over a dozen LIFEAID team members have volunteered to help assist with donated supply drop-offs locally.)
DONATION STATUS UPDATE (as of Thursday, Aug. 27): • Thanks to all of your generous donations of goods, the Santa Cruz Fire Aid has currently completed over 52 drop-offs of supplies & essentials to areas in and surrounding Santa Cruz (including fire & police stations, evacuation centers and animal shelters/rescues). • More than 10,000 cans of FITAID has been dropped off for firefighters and evacuees at locations all over Santa Cruz County.
• This amazing community has raised over $12,000 so far (which goes directly to evacuee support & wildfire relief efforts). • A special THANK YOU to all of the brands who have generously donated additional dry goods, water, essentials & much-needed supplies to be distributed, including: Caffeine & Kilos, Chomps, CrossFit One World, Fantasy Cookie, Flow Water, Olipop, Pamela's Cookies, Rolo Roast, Tosi, and Zola
LIFEAID team members are driving all donated supplies directly to multiple locations throughout the city, to help triage the emergency supply item needs as they are requested.
Monetary donations will be directed (but not limited) to:
FURTHER INQUIRIES ABOUT HOW TO HELP? Please contact our LIFEAID team via email at: team@lifeaidbevco.com
ABOUT THE SANTA CRUZ FIRE:
Wildfires which broke out in San Mateo County & the Santa Cruz mountain area after a record-breaking number of lightning strikes this past Monday (Aug. 17, 2020) have now more than tripled in size, spreading to over 77,000 acres. The fires are only 13% contained (updated as of Monday, Aug. 24).
More than 200 structures have already been destroyed by the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire, while over 25,000 structures are still at risk. That number only continues to rise as San Mateo & Santa Cruz County residents are experiencing ongoing widespread mandatory evacuation notices.
The entire LIFEAID team's hearts and thoughts go out to those affected by the wildfires. We are hopeful for everyone's continued safety and that the Santa Cruz Fire Aid will help support the needs of those who have been relocated, evacuated, or are fighting diligently to save our loved ones, homes and land.
> > > Stay safe, everyone.
Brianna Cope is a professional surfer born and raised on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii. Growing up near the ocean, Cope fell in love with the power of its waves and began surfing on a longboard at the age of four.
“I love how free and alive I feel in the ocean. It is such an indescribable feeling to be able to ride a wave, always thinking how special it is that you can only ride that wave once—you will never get the same wave again,” says Cope.
Cope won her first surfing competition when she was just 11 years old, deciding then and there that she wanted to be a professional surfer. Currently, Cope can be spotted competing on the World Surf League qualifying series, traveling across the globe for competitions. Her 2018 documentary “Surfing to Cope” is now available on iTunes.‘Big Neechi’ is an internationally recognized celebrity, bodybuilder and festival host known for his incredible strength, muscular physique, and for throwing wild parties.
Neechi graduated from Texas State University as somewhat of a campus legend, obtaining a degree in Exercise & Sports Science. His capabilities in the gym came at an early age when he broke his Jr. High School’s bench press record of 315 lb. in the eighth grade! Big Neechi has since won the title of "Combine King" and "Strongest Man".
During college, Big Neechi also earned another reputation for himself after throwing a Project X-style pool party that went viral and ended up on every news outlet in America. Big Neechi has become the #1 event host in Texas, and even hosted Spring Break in South Padre Island.
No matter how wild his lifestyle gets, Big Neechi always prioritizes fitness, maintains a great physique, and displays insane numbers on all his lifts. (He was the 2019 Iron Wars 4 champion after completing a 475-lb. pause-rep bench press!) Weighing only 215 lb., Big Neechi has proven he can keep up with the best of the best.
Greg Lutzka is a professional skateboarder, best known for his technical skills which have landed him countless trophies, gold medals and awards in contests including: X-Games, The Maloof Money Cup, Dew Tours and World Cups. Currently, Lutzka is also the only skater to have ever won the highly respected Tampa Pro an unprecedented three times.
Lutzka’s reputation as one of the hardest working skateboarders in the industry is well-earned. At the age of 18, Greg moved from the Midwest to Southern California, the Action Sports mecca of the world. During the course of his career, Lutzka has been featured in videos for Almost & Darkstar Skateboards, K-Swiss and Oakley Eyewear. He has also cross-branded himself with Harley Davidson and Aqua Hydrate, always representing sponsors to the fullest while also practicing and improving his skateboarding skills daily.
Lutzka has acted in a movie, commercials and music videos. During whatever remaining freetime Lutzka has, he enjoys snowboarding, cycle riding and spending time with family and friends.
New Year’s Eve is right around the corner, and everyone is getting prepared for the big night! For some, the holiday season may lead to a cocktail or two — which inevitably causes some unpleasant morning-after moments.
There are few things worse than waking up with a hangover. In fact, it will likely negate just how much fun you had the night before. So to help you get through the rest of the season (if you’re over 21, of course), we’ve rounded up some of the most popular hangover cures and preventative supplements that you can pick up from Amazon today!
The pre-mixed drink contains a ton of helpful nutrients that can alleviate traditional hangover symptoms. You can drink this before, during or after your night out and feel significantly better the next day.
Get the PARTYAID supplement drink for prices starting at just $11, available from Amazon!
You’ve got a competition coming up and you’re deeply invested in your meal prepping, training schedule and water intake but you’ve also got some intense travel sessions booked. You have all the best intentions of keeping to your training schedule but a few hours of waiting around in the airport and some questionable airplane food later, you’re wondering whether you really want to make the leap to your phone to call a ride. It happens to all of us!
Next time you’re on the move, take these tips with you to help you out along the way.
Think of it as your nagging gym friend who keeps telling you to go to the 9am Saturday WOD.
Recovery Is Key
Focusing on your range of movement exercises and recovery stretches can help out big time after being jammed into a small airplane seat all day. While you’re waiting for your flight, take some time to stretch it out. It’ll help you feel less beat up and slightly more rejuvenated and get you ready for your next flight. There are several apps on the market these days that can run through some movements ranging anywhere from a 10-minute stretch to a full-on 45-minute yoga session. You might get some looks but you’ll be the one feeling good!
Pack It Out
Be prepared for any sort of food situation by bringing in your own meal preps and snacks. This can be especially helpful if you’re on a long car ride or in a town where you don’t know or have access to a grocery store. Bringing a cooler full of your favorite training foods and drinks loaded with turmeric and BCAAs can help out with your recovery as well as just make you feel good after hours in the car. A lot of Airbnbs will let you use their kitchen, so bringing your own ingredients can definitely help out when you’ve just gotten into town and you’re ready to tuck into a heaping meal.
(Image courtesy of: Anna Kirkpatrick)
Pre-Commit to Training
Something I like to do before I travel is research a local CrossFit box and send them an email letting them know I’d like to drop in on a certain day and time. Finding somewhere you’d like to train beforehand helps you to take the guesswork out of the where and gives you a why! Why are you going? Because you’ve already contacted the coach and committed to going! Also, training at a different box is pretty exciting.
Focus on Sleep
This definitely goes without saying but sleeping is important in recovery and general wellness. If you’re traveling to a different time zone, try getting on that schedule as soon as possible. Eat meals when you’re supposed to eat (even if that means you have two dinners) and sleep when you’re supposed to sleep. That’ll help your body align with your new time. The temptation is to sleep until the afternoon or to crash as soon as you open the door to your hotel, but resist the urge! You’ll be glad you did.
CONCLUSION
Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures so don't be afraid to live in the moment! There is something in being prepared but also in not being too rigid. Try to do what is best for you and your health in that moment. Always remember that, above all else, it’s about doing what makes you happy.
About the Author: Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- FITAID®, one of the most popular items in the LIFEAID Beverage Co. portfolio, has long been a favorite of professional athletes in football, baseball and basketball. And it's one of basketball's rising stars that LIFEAID selected as a partner for upcoming Northern California retail marketing campaigns: Kevon Looney of the Golden State Warriors. The endorsement agreement was confirmed today by LIFEAID co-founder and president Aaron Hinde.
Looney will appear on billboards through Northern California, and will also be featured in digital advertising and social media campaigns. The brand's social media platforms will also support regular prize and giveaway programs tied retailers and also offered directly from the brand.
"I've personally been rooting for Kevon since he first played for the Santa Cruz Warriors in 2016, right here in our backyard," says Hinde, a proud lifelong resident of Santa Cruz, California, which is also home to LIFEAID's headquarters. "While Kevon may currently be injured, what isn't damaged is his ability to inspire as a gifted, versatile athlete with a long future ahead in pro basketball. We're excited to help build one another's brands."
Standing six-foot-nine, basketball player Kevon Looney is known for his versatile athleticism, playing both power forward and center for the Warriors. His ability to guard all five positions is reflected in his jersey number "5." Looney re-signed with the Warriors in July 2019, in a three-year extension. Warriors' coach Steve Kerr called Looney a "foundational piece" for the team.
"Kevon is a disciplined, dedicated athlete who appreciates the impact of proper nutrition. These are core values for the LIFEAID brand," says Hinde.
"I'm proud to be working with LIFEAID. The brand is focused on clean and functional ingredients. Recovery is a major part of being an athlete, FITAID helps meet the demands of that critical part of my game. Also, I'm following the paleo diet so I can drink it as part of my everyday routine," says Looney.
About LIFEAID Beverage Co.® With a focus on great-tasting, wellness-enhancing and solutions-driven supplement products, LIFEAID Beverage Co. has become a trusted brand among health- and performance-conscious consumers. LIFEAID offers a range of "vitamins you'll actually enjoy drinking" including: FITAID, FOCUSAID, PARTYAID, IMMUNITIYAID, LIFEAID, GOLFERAID and the newly launched Keto-friendly FITAID ZERO and FITAID RX ZERO. The FITAID line is currently the #1 Post-Workout Recovery Drink in America as well as the Official Sponsor of the U.S. Spartan Race Series. Visit lifeaidbevco.com for more information.
Our bodies need to recover between workouts in order to maximize the benefit. Loaded with nutrients, LIFEAID’s Recovery beverage hits the spot.
We have workouts tailored to our goals. We have meals fine-tuned for maximum nutrition. We know how important sleep is (and sometimes we even log the recommended hours!). But taking time to rest—where is that in our weekly health goals? In a go-go-go world hyper-focused on drive and results, it’s no surprise the importance of rest and recovery can be relegated to the backseat. Yet scheduling recovery days is vital to all aspects of health, both mental and physical. Adequate rest can help increase strength and stamina to take your fitness to the next level.
Rest can be augmented with supplements and recovery aids, like our favorite post-workout beverage, the Recovery drink FITAID from our friends at LIFEAID. It’s got all the amino acids and nutrients that our body craves after the gym, an intense flow, or a heart-pumping hike. But just why should we consider rest and recovery just as important as the workout itself? Read on.
Why is rest so important?
There’s a tendency with fitness to go overboard—since a little makes such a positive difference, then a lot must be even better right? Not quite! Counter-intuitively, too much exercise can actually detract from your fitness goals by causing fatigue and sub-par performance, decreasing immunity and appetite, wrecking natural sleep cycles, and in some cases, affecting hormones and fertility. When our bodies are exposed to the stress of intense exercise or over-training, they become susceptible to exhaustion, stress-fractures, strains, pain—over time, even arthritis.
Muscles need time to repair from one training session before they’re again ready to perform optimally. More than that, bones do, too. Too much intense exercise without recovery causes chronic inflammation that can inhibit new bone growth. And while everyone knows exercising within a couple hours of bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep, pushing your routine too hard for too many days without a rest day can flood your body with stress hormones that make it harder to fall asleep, and adversely affect sleep quality when finally sleeping.
How much exercise is good?
Most experts recommend two and a half hours of moderate cardio exercise each week. That looks like a half-hour of exercise five days a week, or three days a week for longer, more difficult workout sessions. Most muscle groups need at least 48 hours of rest to recover, so alternating leg day and a core workout is the way to go. Age, fitness level, and other health factors are important in determining what’s right for you, and any concerns should be discussed with a doctor.
What else does my body need for rest?
Sleep, is of course one of the most important aspects of rest. Getting adequate rest regulates growth hormones that are necessary for recovery. Experts recommend eight hours a night. Less than that denies your body the ability to repair all the little damages it sustains in daily workouts. Hydration is also crucial to rebuild the connective tissues, muscles and nerves, along with a balanced, healthful diet. That might include supplements that help your body heal stronger. Turmeric is a well-known natural anti-inflammatory, while magnesium and B-complex vitamins can increase energy and immunity. Cayenne can reduce muscle pain, and vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, can inhibit histamines and increase immune function.
Rest can also include physical activity—yes, really!—just not at the same high intensity of heavy workouts. Rest days should skip heavy lifting and sprints in favor of walking, an easy jog, or gentle yoga—anything that slightly increases heart rate without leaving you breathless. Bonus for choosing rest exercises that hone mental restoration! Spend time stretching, using a foam roller, or soaking in a hot tub—all ways to aid muscle relaxation and repair.
Some people worry that taking a day off may sidetrack their fitness goals, but experts agree that’s not the case. Rest can help the mind refocus and come back to those goals with greater motivation and drive at the next scheduled session. In fact, most people could skip workouts for about two weeks with minimal effects, as long as the time off is spent engaged in moderate activity and health overall. The bottom line? Hit that snooze button guilt-free a couple days a week. Your body will actually thank you.
To assist you with getting better rest, considering trying sleep drinks that can provide you with the vitamins and nutrients your body needs for a full and restful night of recovery.
At LIFEAID, we’re the Functional Beverage Co. that makes vitamins you’ll actually enjoy drinking. Our clean, nutritional products are made with only the good stuff, none of the junk, so you can enjoy a better way to drink that is tailored to fit your healthy, active lifestyle. Located in Santa Cruz, California, LIFEAID is proud to be helping to make the world a healthier place, one can at a time.
Learn more about LIFEAID Beverage Co.—tucked away in the back of the old Santa Cruz Wrigley Building—where they create the clean recovery fuel of CrossFitters worldwide.
By Max Knoblauch, SWNS | May 21, 2019 | Click HERE to read the full article in theNew York Post.
A sizable chunk of Americans are skipping work due to hangovers… from exercise.
According to new research, more than one in four active Americans (29%) have skipped out on work due to a workout “hangover” (post-exercise soreness that impedes one’s ability to participate in other life and work activities).
According to the new study, as many as 55% have suffered a workout hangover that’s caused them to stay inside all day, and a possible major cause of this may be that 60% of those surveyed said they don’t know enough about dietary and recovery supplements to make an informed decision about what process or products can help them.
Due to that knowledge gap, nearly half of those respondents (47%) have skipped recovery steps altogether.
In fact, the new study of 2,000 Americans who exercise uncovered that 65% have sustained injuries from their workouts — approximately three each year on average.
The most common injuries? Pulled muscles (68%), ankle sprains (48%), and knee strains (45%).
And the dreaded “workout hangover” is not just affecting work attendance, it has spread into American’s social lives, as well. Forty percent of respondents reported that post-workout muscle soreness has caused them to skip a party. Thirty-nine percent have skipped a get together with friends, and 32% have even had to skip dates.
The new survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of health brand LIFEAID Beverage Co., found that when respondents go too hard in a workout without the proper preparation, their lives become messier.
Fitness-focused Americans spend about one fourth (23%) of their typical workout going “too hard,” then paying the price in the form of workout injuries and increased recovery time.
Respondents skip approximately 36 workouts a year due to the dreaded workout hangover. Why all the soreness? It may have something to do with incomplete workout recovery techniques.
In fact, 40% of respondents don’t stretch to aid in workout recovery. More than one in three (36%) don’t get enough rest after working out, and over half (53%) don’t take supplements.
“Proper workout and exercise techniques go hand in hand with post-workout recovery. By helping to improve the speed and efficiency of recovery, one can directly help optimize their overall fitness in a whole new way by increasing strength, endurance… you name it,” Dr. Aaron Hinde, co-founder of LIFEAID Bev Co., said.
“So much emphasis has been placed on what you consume or drink before a workout, when in actuality it’s what your body needs to help it recover afterward that makes the real difference.”
The fact that a large majority of active Americans — 73 percent — have skipped workouts due to muscle soreness further supports Hinde’s point of view.
For many who exercise, soreness is a constant struggle, and they’d do just about anything to make it go away.
In fact, 45 percent of respondents would give up alcohol for a month to instantly recover from one bad bout of soreness. Forty-four percent would give up chocolate for a month, and 20 percent would give up Netflix for a month.
More than one in four surveyed (26 percent) would pay $100 to relieve their soreness and recover faster.
“Physical and mental fatigue from working out, particularly with today’s more intense exercise routines, is manageable and avoidable with the right nutritional education and recovery products, including specially-formulated drinks and supplements,” said Dr. Hinde.
“The key to avoiding the workout hangover is finding what type of products work best for your personal exercise regime, to help you recover as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
What helps the body recover faster? 
The most common injuries? Pulled muscles (68%), ankle sprains (48%), and knee strains (45%).