Recovery for better performance, by Félix Burke

It’s often said that races are won months in advance. The assiduous preparation carried out during the winter is what allows a mountain biker to climb to the highest step of the podium in the summer. Good preparation requires daily physical training. Contrary to what most people think, it’s not the workouts that get us in shape, but the recovery periods between workouts that allow the body to become stronger.

Here are two common situations:
An athlete who trains hard every day without giving his body time to recover will arrive at his event tired and unable to perform.
An athlete who masters the balance between physical training and recovery will be in much better shape and have a better chance of achieving his or her goal.

Recovery allows the muscles to repair themselves, the nervous system to return to normal and the mind to refresh. Personally, as a high-level athlete, I put a lot more emphasis on recovery than on training because I know that I am better at being less trained but full of energy than highly trained and exhausted.
There are of course several techniques to speed up recovery. My favorite? Hydrotherapy. More specifically, hydrotherapy at the Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant.

It’s a fun way to relax and unwind while enjoying accelerated muscle recovery. Hydrotherapy works by increasing circulation by warming body temperature, followed by a rapid reduction in circulation by immersing yourself in a cold bath. This cycle allows blood to travel through the body quickly, eliminating toxins and providing nutrients that help regenerate muscles.

The Scandinave Spa in Mont-Tremblant offers an incredible atmosphere that allows you to relax completely.

My favorite part: What I enjoy most is taking my cold bath in the Diable river, especially in the middle of winter!

I try to do hydrotherapy sessions as often as possible, but especially when I’m feeling highly motivated and eager to train more than my body allows me. By going to the Scandinave, I give it an extra boost!

I also try to go when I feel exhausted. The Scandinave atmosphere helps me refocus on the present moment and fill up on energy.

I have made the mistake of over-training and it can be very difficult to comprehend why such hard training and effort can go unrewarded. Sometimes too much is worse than too little. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing in sports and in life.

Félix Burke, Scandinave Spa Mont-Tremblant ambassador and passionate mountain biking athlete since the age of 13.