You get rid of all the Lactic Acid faster than just having a shower or a rest. A sauna is also an excellent way to relax.

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Recent research done in Japan performed a study in mice. The mice were placed on a wheel and set to exercise at a lab-controlled time and intensity. Half of them were left to recover normally, and the other half were placed in a warm sauna-like environment. The mice who were placed in the warm environment had an average size increase of 30% in their calf muscle over the mice that were not allowed to rest in the heat post-workout. The reason for this was the fact that the heat triggers the body to release specific proteins that are ideal for recovery and building muscle. Since the recovery is much improved, the tightness that is normally experience after a workout is relieved and people don’t feel as sore the next day.