We get it—life is busy, and the fact you’re managing to get in your miles for the day is an accomplishment in and of itself. However, adding in some smart and easy cool down exercises postrun is an ideal way to stretch out the muscles you just worked, and also gives you a chance to process and reflect on the work you just did.
“Best Stretching Apps for Runners mentally process your run, reflect on the victories of your run, and make a note of what you’d like to improve upon, all while giving your muscles a chance to gradually return back to baseline,” says Jess Movold, Runner’s World coach and certified personal trainer.
Need more reason to take a minute after your workout stretch it out? Let us count the ways it benefits your body and mind.
How Runners Can Benefit from Cool Down Exercises
There are plenty of reasons you want to consider adding a cool down to your workout. For starters, Coach Jess says abruptly stopping a run can cause cramping and soreness. She also says this is an opportunity to gradually lower your body temperature and heart rate, which is important in helping to promote circulation, relaxation, and reduce inflammation.
“Plus, taking time for a cool down demonstrates that what you’re doing is important to you,” she says. “This care will translate into your overall ability to improve as a runner.”
Start on all fours, shoulders over wrists and knees under hips postworkout cool down, we asked Coach Jess to share her favorite exercises. The cool part about these moves? They’re all dynamic stretches that you can incorporate into your daily routine (not just after a workout!) to leave you feeling loose and limber, so you head into your next run or workout or the rest of your day with confidence and comfort.
By regularly incorporating these dynamic mobility moves into your daily or weekly routine, Coach Jess says you’ll gain a few key benefits:
- Shoes & Gear
- The knee-to-couch stretch is a deep stretch for the
- Improve posture
- Improve breathing
- Release tension
If you’re convinced to join for a cool down, follow these five exercises from Coach Jess.
6 Cool Down Exercises You Can Do Every Day
How to Treat Sore Hamstrings After Running: Perform each exercise below for 30 to 90 seconds, resting as needed between moves. Make sure to breathe deep, concentrating on your inhales and exhales through each stretch. Use those exhales to move deeper into the stretch, sending breath to any spots that feel tight. You can do these moves right after a run, after a long day, or any time you feel the need to stretch it out.
Coach Jess demonstrates each exercise so you can mimic proper form. You don’t need any equipment for these moves, but an exercise mat is helpful. You’ll also need a couch or chair for the final two exercises.
1. Downward Dog to Runner's Lunge
And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runners lunge will give the glutes: Pressing your heels toward the floor and your chest between your arms in downward dog will help loosen up the hamstrings, shoulders, back, and feet. And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runner’s lunge will give the glutes, hip flexors, and adductors Bedtime Stretches to Help You Wind Down.
Cool Down Exercises to Target All Your Tight Spots: Start on all fours, shoulders over wrists and knees under hips. Lift hips up and back to form an inverted V shape with body. This is downward dog. Drive one heel into the floor, then the other to pedal out the legs with a slight bend in each knee. Press chest between shoulders. Then step right foot forward and lower left knee to mat. Next, lower right forearm to mat, parallel to leg. Then press back up onto right hand, lift left leg, and step back to downward dog. Repeat on the other side. Continue alternating.
2. Deep Squat
And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runners lunge will give the glutes: Stretch out tight hips and glutes The Best Yoga Routine to Address Menstrual Cramps squat. Coach Jess loves practicing a deep squat while swaying back and forth for the opportunity to open the hips, while also practicing an upright posture.
Cool Down Exercises to Target All Your Tight Spots: Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned slightly out. Lower hips down and back to get into a deep squat position, with weight in heels, hips low to the ground, and torso up straight. Bring palms together in front of chest in prayer pose, elbows touching inside of knees. Pull shoulders down and back. For a deeper stretch, press elbows against knees. Shift weight side to side and then forward and back to stretch the muscles of the hips. If you feel like you can’t maintain the pose, release by standing up, take two deep breaths, and reset.
3. Floor Scorpion
And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runners lunge will give the glutes: Coach Jess says the floor scorpion is a great dynamic mobility movement Start on all fours, shoulders over wrists and knees under hips thoracic (or upper spine) rotation.
Cool Down Exercises to Target All Your Tight Spots: Lie facedown, hands right next to shoulders, palms pressed into mat. Extend right arm to the right side, then bend left knee, take it back and across body to open up hip. Roll half way over, planting left foot on other side of right leg, knee pointing up to ceiling. Pause, then roll back, coming back onto stomach, extending left leg back onto floor, and placing right hand back by shoulder. Repeat on the other side. Continue alternating.
4. Adductor Rock Back
And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runners lunge will give the glutes: What Is Active Stretching speed work Best Fitness Trackers inner thighs, hips, and feet. With slight and gradual motion, this move allows you to ease into a deeper stretch over a short duration of time, which will help improve flexibility.
Cool Down Exercises to Target All Your Tight Spots: Start on kneeling with shoulders stacked over wrists, knee under hips, toes tucked. Extend right leg out to side, straightening knee. This is your starting position. Rock hips and torso back and rest hips on left heel. Return to starting position. Repeat. Then switch sides.
5. If youre convinced to join for a cool down, follow these five exercises from Coach Jess
And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runners lunge will give the glutes: The knee-to-couch stretch is a deep stretch for the quads and hip flexors. If you want to take this stretch to the next level, Coach Jess suggests flexing the glute and hamstring of your working (stretching) leg—that’s the one with your knee on the ground.
Cool Down Exercises to Target All Your Tight Spots: Start kneeling in front of a chair, couch, or other elevated, soft surface, facing away from it. Step left foot forward, knee bent 90 degrees and over ankle, foot pressed into floor. Place top of right foot on top of the chair. Place hands on hips or in front of chest, wherever is most comfortable. Tuck the pelvic slightly forward and engage right glute and entire core. Send hips forward. Hold here. Release. Then switch sides.
6. Prayer Stretch
And for a 360-degree lower-body stretch, the runners lunge will give the glutes: that you can incorporate into your daily routine not just after a mid-to-low back and improve your lumbar (or low spine) range of motion. It’s a smart move to incorporate before and after your long run, Coach Jess says.
Cool Down Exercises to Target All Your Tight Spots: Start kneeling in front of a chair, couch, or other elevated, soft surface. Lean forward and place elbows on chair, edge of triceps also resting on the surface. Lower head so it’s nearly touching front of chair, and clasp hands together behind head. This is your starting position. Lower clasped hands toward back. Then lift back up to starting position. Repeat.
Jennifer Acker joined the editorial staff of Runner's World and Bicycling in January 2022. A former freelancer writer and NCAA runner, she started running as a kid and basically never stopped. She also loves outdoor adventures, like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.
