Knowledge Base

Recovery

It’s often overlooked, and sometimes altogether forgotten. But it never should be. Recovery is just as important to strong performances as your daily workouts and weekly riding volume. That’s because recovery is when adaptation happens. Learn how to master this critical and often overlooked side of the training balance equation.

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Silhouettes of cyclists riding in a group, with one holding their arms overhead

Coach Connor’s Method to Training Recovery

Recovery is at the heart of training adaptation. Without rest the body can’t rebuild and get stronger. This is why recovery is fundamental to how I coach and a focal point for my athletes.

Melanie McQuaid wins the 2014 Boise IronMan 70.3.

How Much Recovery Is Enough?

World champion athlete and coach Melanie McQuaid details the numerous factors that impact how much recovery an athlete needs after long endurance events.

A group of athletes rests in a gym after a workout and uses NormaTec boots to aid recovery

Recovery Pathway

It’s often undervalued, and sometimes altogether ignored; but it shouldn’t be. Recovery from workouts is as important to the training process as the workouts themselves. With the help of Dr. Stephen Seiler, Dr. Shona Halson, Dr. Andy Pruitt, and many others, we examine this critical but often neglected component of exercise physiology.

Recovery

Recovery 101

Coach Trevor Connor explains the complex immune system response that leads to recovery, and why it happens in the first place.

The Athlete's Guide to Foam Rolling

The Athlete’s Guide to Foam Rolling

Strength and conditioning expert Menachem Brodie explains why and how you should use foam rolling to improve recovery.

Bikepacker securing his gear before starting his ride

How to Maximize Recovery During Multi-Day Events

Stage races and other multi-day events offer special challenges, particularly when it comes to recovery. We explore three of the key elements to maintaining good performances day after day.

massage hands on legs

The Truth About Massage

Long-held beliefs about the benefits of massage are not backed by science. But that doesn’t mean you should stop seeing your favorite therapist. We explain.

Daniel Holloway and Garry Beckett Recovery

The Most Effective Recovery Strategies

We are framing the discussion on endurance training recovery around Paul Chek’s Six Foundational principles: sleeping, breathing, eating, thinking, drinking, and moving.

relax to recover

The Key to Recovery? Take Care of Your Brain

Many tools and techniques promise recovery benefits. But the science suggests that the fundamentals—sleep and nutrition to fuel the brain—may be the best place to invest.

A group of cyclists rides through forest

Forget Marginal Gains and Focus on the Fundamentals

In an age when athletes often focus on the specifics, we address the importance of focusing on the fundamentals: training, recovery, and functioning gear—the things that will bring you the greatest return for your investment of time, sweat, and energy.

Relaxing during the offseason

The Benefits of Taking an Off Season

Many athletes worry that they will lose fitness if they skip too many days of training. While detraining does occur over time, there are also many benefits to taking a break.