Why is it important to cool down properly after exercising?

I always hear to cool down properly for 5-10 mins after doing exercise but to be honest through these near 4 months of exercising i rarely ever do a proper cool down. I usually just go and shower right after or i sit down and sip some water. What is the importance of properly cooling down and how does it benefit me if i were to start doing a proper cool down?|||It has something to do with the way your muscles assist the return of venous blood to your heart. Muscle contractions during exercise take some of the work away from the heart. If you stop all at once, it basically drops all that extra load on the heart. If you "cool down", you are gradually returning the additional blood pumping task over to the heart without shocking it. Stopping without cooling down can result in dizziness or fainting.





However, I would imagine it depends on your heart health too. I also exercise often without a cooldown... but it probably isn't a good habit.|||Interesting...for once!

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|||when you work out you get toxins in your muscles that is why you hurt the next day you cooldown to lose the toxins so you dont hurt the next day

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|||you're all wrong. look this up. eagle had the best answer...it's to avoid injury. also, only you legs release lactin which, btw, isn't a "toxic" chemical. it's an acid that causes muscles to harden

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|||not interesting at all, the person who featured this question needs some exercising himself.

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|||stupid

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|||Interesting except for these inaccurate or insulting comments. Jeremy - lactic acid forms in EVERY muscle, so I won't take your idea seriously that the heart issue isn't doesn't exist.

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|||And to get rid of the lactic acid! If you don't cool down, you'll most likely throw up.

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|||When you run your body pumps more blood. If after your run you sit down right away with out walking and cooling down then a blood vessel might pop and you could die or get a bad injury.

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|||That was the best answer? The person who says oh I think this is why? On top of that this is featured. Yeah this is just stupid.

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|||Helps the heart rate and respiration slow down gradually Helps avoid dizziness or fainting which sometimes happens when exercise is stopped suddenly and blood pools in the legs Allows your muscles time to recover and repair for the next workout Helps your muscles get rid of lactic acid Reduce cramps

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|||It IS an interesting question and some important knowledge to acquire for those who exercise.The fitness buffs who already knew the answer think it stupid...but it's not.

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|||I had 100th star lol

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|||This is definitely an uneducated answer.

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|||Reason you should cold down is cuz you could injury yourself very easy still. I usally stretch after exercising. Usally works fine. Dr. Awkward answer is pretty much right.

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|||It avoid injuries and even a warm up and cool down is best. Mainly it set the muscle ready to start and later the cool down brings your body slowly back to its level. Remember an strained muscle with pain you might not get it now, but when you get it, it will stop you for minimum a week and then you will be out of shape or worst than when you started. Also when you warm up and cool down you do better. Warm up avoid injuries, cool down your muscle recover faster.