What is meant by "active recovery" in a fitness context?

Active recovery in a fitness context refers to a period of low-intensity activity that follows a workout, aimed at promoting recovery before the next session. This approach can include activities such as walking, light jogging, or gentle cycling. The goal is to maintain blood flow to the muscles, which helps to facilitate the removal of metabolic waste products and reduce muscle soreness. Engaging in active recovery can also prevent stiffness and prepare the body for future workouts.

In this context, engaging in high-intensity workouts would not be considered active recovery, as it increases the body's demand for energy and can lead to fatigue rather than promoting recovery. Resting completely without any activity might not effectively aid recovery in the same way that low-intensity movement would. Charitably, cooldown exercises follow a workout and are typically part of the same session rather than a distinct period of recovery leading into the next training cycle. Thus, the concept of active recovery aligns closely with the definition of a period between workout sessions that incorporates light activity to enhance overall fitness and performance.