Everybody who took a high school gym class knows that cooldowns are key to locking in the benefits of a workout and preventing soreness—what fewer people know is that they’re also key to maximizing the mental benefits. Equinox has recently done a deep-dive into this concept, going so far as to launch an entire class, HeadStrong, that’s devoted to strengthening the mind as much as the body. The high-intensity session (which might look like boot camp to the random passerby) actually ends with a silent breathing exercise akin to Savasana or other type of mental relaxation. The class is the brainchild of long-time instructors Michael Gervais, a meditation, Pilates, and yoga expert, and Kai Karlstrom, a competitive triathlete and T4 educator, both of whom have serious pedigrees when it comes to the subject. Below, Michael and Kai dig into mental health, exercise, and how to maximize both with cooldowns for four of our favorite exercises.
Source: Fitness – Goop
