Epsom salt baths for training and recovery

Fitness routines don’t end when your workout does. Whether you’re training for a marathon or getting in your 10,000 steps, taking time to help your muscles and body recover is essential. Epsom salt baths are a safe and effective recovery tool for top athletes and weekend fitness warriors alike.

epsom salt and fitness accessories

How do Epsom salt baths help with sore muscles?

Epsom salt is another name for magnesium sulfate, a compound of two essential elements that fight inflammation, while the electrolytes in Epsom salt help with lingering tightness. Soaking for even 15 minutes (longer after an intense workout) in an Epsom salt bath can relax muscles and help repair damage, reduce swelling and speed recovery.

Post-workout Epsom salt bath for sore muscles

  1. Add 2-3 cups of Epsom salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub (double the Epsom salt for an oversized garden tub).
  2. Soak for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Tip: Epsom salt will dissolve quicker if you put it under the running water.

Take a longer Epsom salt soak to optimize muscle recovery.

After an intense workout, and particularly in hot weather, you’ll want to soak at least 20 to 40 minutes to maximize magnesium absorption.

Epsom salt bath for intense workout recovery

  1. First take a cold bath or shower.
  2. About an hour later, add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a lukewarm bath.
  3. Soak for 20 to 40 minutes.
  4. If a bath isn’t an option, scrub Epsom salt into your skin during a shower.

 

Learn more about Epsom salt for training and recovery below.