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Cool Down
Cool down refers to gradually reducing the demands that your workout has placed upon your muscles. Cooling down allows your body to return to its pre-workout levels. An important reason for actively cooling down is because blood and muscle lactic acid levels decrease more rapidly during active cool down than with passive cool down.
In the case of weight training, cool down your muscles immediately after you are finished working each of them: before you go on to your next exercise. For instance, after you have finished doing your push ups, walk around a little and gently swing your arms, rotate your shoulders, allow the muscles of your chest, arms, and shoulders to receive some well deserved circulation, before you move onto your leg or abdominal work out.
Then, at the completion of your workout, take the time to relax and stretch each of the muscle groups you have worked. Allowing yourself stretch and relaxation time after your final cool down will help you prepare for the rest of your day.
See flexibility training for specific stretches.
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