What Olympic Gold Medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall Uses to Recover After Her Hardest Training Days

These slides with built-in heat and vibration have become Davis-Woodhall’s favorite way to recover after training (our feet need recovery, too!) “The heat and vibration feel incredible after long days, and they’re so comfortable that I honestly don't want to take them off,” Davis-Woodhall tells Women’s Health. She slips them on after practice, when she’s traveling, and whenever it feels like her feet need a little extra TLC. One of the reasons these slides have become her go-to is that since they’re footwear, she can still multitask while her feet are getting the recovery benefits of heat and vibration therapy. “I love that I can recover while still moving around and winding down after a long day,” she says.While journaling may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think “fitness essentials of a pro athlete,” Davis-Woodhall considers it an essential training tool. “My journal is always with me because it’s where I can slow down, reset, and get my thoughts out of my head,” she tells WH. “I use it to write down goals, reflect on training and competitions, and keep track of the little things that are working for me.”Training isn’t the only thing Davis-Woodhall examines and processes during her journaling, which she says has become a really important part of her routine. “Sometimes it’s about track & field, but sometimes I also just need a moment to write and reset, “ she says.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHydration is important for all of us, but even more so for athletes performing at the highest level. “Hydration is a huge part of my routine,” Davis-Woodhall says. She has additional dehydrating demands on her body outside of training like extensive traveling and spending a lot of time training outdoors.While there are many electrolyte supplements on the market, Davis-Woodhall has found her favorite in Cadence. It helps her stay consistent because she enjoys the taste, especially the Melonberry and Orange Soda flavors. “I drink it before, during, and after training to help replace the electrolytes I'm losing and stay hydrated. I also love that it has zero sugar and no caffeine, so I can drink it throughout the day.”Last year, a study examining the effects of athletes using music to boost mood, and that that mood boost can in turn have a positive impact on physical performance. Davis-Woodhall is no stranger to using music as a tool in her training. “I never go anywhere without my headphones,” she says. “Whether I’m warming up, cooling down, traveling, or just need a little time in my own world, music is such a big part of how I get into the right mindset.”But getting hyped and ready isn’t the only time Davis-Woodhall taps into music to help her maintain peak performance. Sometimes she uses her headphones to tune out distractions and reset.We love the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones, our pick for best noise cancelling headphones, for doing just that.Read More: Best Workout HeadphonesAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowMusic isn’t the only thing that can get you in the right frame of mind. A signature scent can, too. “I love a good fragrance, and BOSS Bottled Beyond is one I always have with me,” Davis-Woodhall says. “I love the scent, but I also love what it represents: feeling confident, powerful, and lifting up the women around you.”Davis-Woodhall wears this fragrance when she’s getting ready for competition but also reaches for it in her day-to-day life. “It's one of those little things that makes me feel put together and ready for whatever I'm walking into,” she says.To help keep her legs fresh and ready, Davis-Woodhall knows that supporting healthy leg circulation is crucial. A device she uses to help with this is Firefly, a wireless band that wraps around the top of the calf and emits stimulating pulses that mimic the muscle contractions of walking, which helps increase circulation. “Between training, competing, and constantly traveling, recovery is such a huge part of what I do. I love Firefly because it’s small enough to keep in my track bag, so I can use it right after training,” she says, noting that it’s become a tool she relies on all season.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe best recovery tools that we use in our routines are sometimes the simplest. Case in point: the yoga mat and massage ball Davis-Woodhall keeps on hand. “I always have these around for stretching, mobility, and working through any tight spots after training or in the middle of a competition. I use the roller ball a lot on my feet and legs, and the yoga mat gives me a place to go through my normal stretching and mobility routine.”The Manuka Pro yoga mat is one that WH editors love for its extra thickness and no-slip surface, and the Rad Rounds set of three different sizes of massage balls with different densities will cover any spot you’re trying to release.WH editors love compression boots, and so does Davis-Woodhall, particularly the Hyperice Normatec Elite Legs. “This is my go-to after my hardest training days, especially after long sprint days since I started hurdling again this season,” she says. “My legs can definitely feel heavy after those workouts, so I usually put them on in the evening while Hunter and I are relaxing or watching TV.” While Davis-Woodhall uses these compression boots throughout her season, she is especially consistent leading into a competition to make sure her legs feel fresh and ready to jump.Natascha is an editor and writer covering health, fitness, and the ways people move through the world. She’s been a NASM-certified personal trainer for more than a decade, with a background in functional strength training, corrective exercise, nutrition, and behavior change. She has additional CES, CNC, BCS, and SFC certifications. She is also a level-2 certified Spinning instructor. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, and other outlets, and her experience spans both editorial and hands-on work across the fitness industry. Whether she’s writing about training, health, or performance, she’s most interested in making complicated topics useful, approachable, and helpful. She is currently the fitness and reviews editor for Women’s Health.