How to recover after a workout : Life Kit: Health : NPR
How to recover after a workout : Life Kit: Health It's normal to feel some pain or soreness after a workout. But how much is too much, and more importantly, how do you get relief? This episode, build out your post-workout recovery routine. A sports medicine doctor, nutritionist and professional athlete break down everything you can do from the moment your last workout finishes to right before your next one begins – to feel better in your body, minimize your injury risk and get the most out of that gym session. This episode was originally published on Jan. 30, 2025

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How to recover after a workout

How to recover after a workout

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A still life of items to help recover from a workout: A foam roller, a mat for stretching, and protein sources like milk and nuts.
Beck Harlan/NPR

It's normal to feel some pain or soreness after a workout. But how much is too much, and more importantly, how do you get relief? This episode, build out your post-workout recovery routine. A sports medicine doctor, nutritionist and professional athlete break down everything you can do from the moment your last workout finishes to right before your next one begins – to feel better in your body, minimize your injury risk and get the most out of that gym session. This episode was originally published on Jan. 30, 2025

Follow us on Instagram:Ā @nprlifekit
Sign up for our newsletter here.
Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us atĀ lifekit@npr.org
Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ atĀ plus.npr.org/lifekit

Clarification March 19, 2026

A previous version of this episode said that the body repairs microtears in muscles that were caused by exercise and makes them stronger. In fact, the scientific research shows microtear repairs are not the primary driver of muscle growth, so those references have been removed.