First, there wereface gyms. Then,mirror exercisingbecame the buzzy new workout. But the latest fitness trend is all about what happens when the sneakers come off. Because although you maythinkthat you’ve totally nailed your workout routine, that doesn’t mean that you’re getting the most out of the experience. Introducing the latest buzzword in the wellness world: the recovery room.
Somewhere between a workout studio and a spa, recovery training can encompass a variety of different practices includingcryotherapy,infrared saunas, compression treatment, hydromassage, float tanks,foam rollingand lymphatic drainage. (So yeah, a lot.) And it’s definitely having a moment. Why? According to Marc Violone, co-owner ofReCOVERin New York City, stepping into a recovery room is an easy and effective way to minimize systemic stress in as little as 20 minutes.
“People often get caught in a cycle of trying to do the most, opening the door to stress, fatigue and maybe even sleepless nights,” Violone tells us. “We’re surrounded by a lot of things that are in place to maximize productivity. With this in mind, people have slowly been taking steps to improve their personal wellness and lifestyle.”
Another reason recovery is so popular right now is because celebs likeJessica BielandJennifer Anistonlove it (and where the rich and famous go, the masses will follow). But you don’t need to be a superstar to take advantage of the perks. “People have different performance demands. Some need to de-stress after a long day at work, while others want their legs to feel restored after a training session,” says Violone. “By putting the best recovery technologies in the world under one roof, we’ve created a studio that can help people with stress, sleep quality, muscle soreness, weight loss demands, and performance enhancement,” he adds. Translation? It’s as much about relaxing and recovering from daily pressures as it is improving your athletic performance.