We all know that after a workout, no matter how tough, we need a period of rest. A recovery period after your workout helps reduce your risk of injury and improve your overall performance. This rest period is crucial for allowing our body to repair itself and grow stronger; for many, maximizing their recovery time is a lifelong journey of trying different tactics and techniques for the smallest gains.
Ready to change your post-workout recovery game? A couch designed for your needs and space is the perfect way to maximize your rest and recovery.
There’s more to a custom couch than meets the eye when it comes to fitness recovery. By going beyond the merely comfortable couches you can find at most furniture stores, you’ll be making an investment in your health. A durable yet comfortable resting spot will do wonders for your body and mental health along your fitness journey.
The Importance of Rest and Recovery
Getting enough rest after a workout is key to supercharging your fitness goals. If you want to make serious, significant progress, you will need to work regular recovery days into your routine. Your body doesn’t just crave rest – it’s required.
Let’s dive deeper into the crucial impact rest periods have on your body:
- Muscle recovery allows your muscles to grow stronger. As we exercise, we create small tears in our muscles. Allowing these tears to heal enables our muscles to grow bigger and stronger. This doesn’t happen unless you are at rest.
- It’s possible to overexert yourself leading to a condition called overtraining syndrome. Caused by a lack of quality rest, this leads to an increased risk of dehydration, poor mood, and increased levels of body fat.
- Fitness is not only a physical journey – rest allows you to relax and strengthen your mind for the mental stresses of your regimen.
- In the same way, recovery days allow you to push yourself in your workouts. Consistent, high-quality rest is crucial for increasing your performance over time.
Clearly, it’s important to take your rest days seriously. Not only should you fuel your body with nourishing foods and allow your mind to relax, but you also need to physically rest your body to enjoy the full benefits of allowing yourself to recover.
Many find it difficult to take an actual day off from the gym. For some of us, working out is the best way to relieve stress. That’s why it’s so important to build in rest days and learn how to relax, both mentally and physically.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to lay in bed all day to properly rest from a workout, especially when you have a custom couch in your favorite relaxation spot.
The Role of A Couch in Post-Workout Recovery
A comfortable couch does more than provide a place for you to sit post-cooldown. Compared to other types of living chairs, a couch offers the perfect mix of softness and support for proper rest without compromising on posture. Durable, quality material means you can do everything from seated light stretching to enjoying a post-workout snack.
A couch also provides a wonderful opportunity for maximizing your recovery time. As we just mentioned, the support offered by a couch makes it ideal for seated stretching. Stretches that help you relax, release tension, and alleviate muscle soreness all benefit from having a strong foundation. A couch is also a wonderful place to read or practice mindfulness to melt away stress.
As you can see, the best couches for restful recovery are high-quality and built with both comfort and support in mind. While it may be tempting to opt for a plush model that allows you to “sink in” and relax, you’ll want to give your body proper rest by sitting or lying on a supportive cushion. Find the right balance that allows you to mindfully read or indulge in a hobby while still being comfortable enough for a recovery nap.
Speaking of balance, a couch compliments a well-balanced lifestyle. Rather than buying another designated piece of gear that’s tailored for recovery, a couch offers many of the same benefits while maintaining usefulness in other areas of your life. If you find yourself struggling to take a rest day, having a designated space that you love can make it that much easier to convince yourself to take a day off.
One of the best ways to ensure you get exactly what you need out of your designated “recovery couch” is by placing a custom order. Let’s take a look at some of the best custom couch companies on the market and go over each option with rest days in mind.
Our Favorite Couches for Recovery
DreamSofa offers a quality selection of custom couches at affordable rates. For example, their Alexandria Panel sectional can be customized to a variety of lengths and fabric choices, like all their couches. However, this particular couch comes with a panel designed to allow you to lie down and rest. The durable construction and quality fabric mean there’s no need to worry about regular use after every workout and each rest day. Available in a variety of size combinations, a DreamSofa is the perfect way to maximize your space and your recovery rest.
Lovesac offers couches that are considerably plush (and some would argue too much so for a recovery spot) and made with standard couch fabric. The ability to rearrange your sections allows for awesome flexibility that’s perfect for family life; however, if you choose these couches as your rest spot, you will be making some compromises.
Arhaus sectional couches offer the peak of luxury, so much so that while many swear by their comfort, few would call them a proper recovery couch. The durable cushions provide comfort, while the soft palette of fabric choices means that sweat, snacks, and liquids pose a real threat to your couch. However, the construction of the couches makes for excellent support, which means this may be the right couch for you if you need extra encouragement to maintain good posture.
How to Choose the Right Couch for You
With so many options available, picking the right couch can seem like a draining task. However, keep in mind all that you’ve learned. A couch should work for both your fitness routine and your family life! Overall, the most important part about a recovery couch is that you find it restful and enjoy using it as an intentional spot to unwind from your fitness routine.
Choosing the right couch for your needs will come down to a variety of factors, including:
- Personal fitness regime
- Preferred comfort level
- Available space in your home
- Budget and style preferences
There are many things to ask yourself and consider. If you’re reasonably tall, you’ll want a longer couch for you to stretch out comfortably. Those who loathe cleaning may have a preference for leather couches over fabric. However, fabric couches offer a variety of styles and feel cozier, making it easier to relax. A couch with a chaise is an excellent choice for those looking to recline and meditate or anyone with neck issues.
Above all, you’ll want to pick a durable couch with quality construction that fits your needs and taste. Depending on your budget, there’s often no need to compromise, especially when ordering a custom couch. By arming yourself with the knowledge on how to make the right choice, you can rest assured that you’re making a sound investment in how you rest.
Maximizing Your Recovery Time on the Couch
Whether you spend your recovery days watching television or reading self-help books, we all want to make the most of our time outside the gym. Here are a few final pointers on how you can maximize the time you spend on your plush new couch:
- Take breaks from sedimentary rest to do seated stretching, such as the chin-to-chest stretch, hamstring stretch, or wide-arm chest stretch. Don’t underestimate a good stretch!
- Browse social media and your favorite resources for new exercises, stretches, and recovery techniques to add to your regime.
- Take the time to meditate, write in a gratitude journal, or simply rest without distraction. It’s important to thank your body for all the hard work and give yourself the rest you truly deserve.
- Incorporate something you love into your time on the couch that’s completely non-fitness related. Call a dear friend, watch your favorite show, or listen to a new album. Whatever makes you happy will leave you feeling energized and refreshed, ready to take on your next workout with a renewed sense of focus.
Overall, it’s a great idea to incorporate a custom couch as part of your post-workout routine. You can significantly enhance your recovery process and the quality of your rest days. Designed to provide optimal comfort and just the right amount of support, a custom couch can ease the muscle soreness that often makes rest days stressful. When you invest in a high-quality couch, you’re making an investment in your physical and mental health as well as your home. Keep in mind that recovery is just as important as your workout, and keep striving!
M&F and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.