The tip: Instead of going full-on couch potato or pushing straight back into a tough workout, go for a walk, swim or another low-impact activity.

Why it works: "Your muscles recover on their days off so if you've really hit the gym hard, it's better to take a day or two off before the next hard core workout," says McGee. "That being said, an active recovery as opposed to lying on the couch is best."

Weintraub adds that overall soreness is different from site-specific soreness. "If your whole body feels sore, let's say up to a five on a one to 10 scale with 10 being can't move, and it's not concentrated on one area, than a workout the next day can be okay with adequate hydration and post workout care," he says. However, if your soreness is a six or a 10, he recommends taking the next few days to do light movement as often as possible to help your body flush toxins.

The tip: Take a warm bath with Epsom salts. (We like Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Detoxify & Energize with Ginger & Clay.)

Why it works: "A nice warm bath is like a good massage," says McGee. Heat expands the body's tissues and relaxes the muscles. There is a lot of conflicting evidence over whether Epsom salts or essential oils work, so Weintraub explains that his recommendation is based on anecdotal evidence -- his own experience along with that of his clients.

"Could it simply be placebo effect from the ritual of drawing yourself a bath and adding in some nice smelling stuff to create some time to take care of yourself? Sure," he says. "My thoughts are, who cares why it works for you. As long as it does actually work ... and if it doesn't work, move on and try something else."

The tip: Before a workout, do dynamic, active stretching (like leg swings, walking lunges or downward dog) to warm up your muscles, says McGee. Post-workout, she says its better to do static stretches like forward bends, hip openers and long-held crescent lunges.

Why it works: "Taking 10-15 minutes to cool down and stretch after each and every workout would take care of about 80 plus percent of your soreness issues," says Weintraub. "Walk around, rehydrate, and do light stretching to keep things loose and lengthened." Your fascia will cool down over the next 15-20 minutes, and harden the body into whatever shape you put it in during the workout." For example: If you gave your biceps a good workout and didn't stretch, your body will cool down with them shortened, meaning you won't be able to fully relax your arms at your side (hello, T-Rex arms). "So, if you don't plan on auditioning for a robot dance group, keep them moving and lightly stretched open during the cool down period. Same goes for all of your muscles," he says.

Make sure you hit all of the major muscle groups, and keep stretching throughout the day. (For inspo, check out his Stretchworks DW program, which has 36 short videos to give you a "stretching at work" routine).

The tip: Take 1.8 grams of fish oil per day (that's 324 milligrams EPA and 216 milligrams DHA). And don't just take it on the days you're sore -- in order for it to help, you need to be consistent. If you're not a supplement person, like Weintraub, he says to eat salmon or other omega-3 rich fish a few times a week to get the benefits of fish oil plus protein. (Also, note that some forms of fish oil can give you the "fish burps.") Certified personal trainer, best-selling author and ISSA Director of Wellness John Rowley recommends Carlson's The Very Finest Fish Oil. Weintraub adds that omega-3s help support your cell membranes.

Why it works: Fish oil is chock-full of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help alleviate soreness and inflamed muscles, says Rowley. But it's a bit different from the relatively immediate effects of Advil (which is not necessarily recommended). A study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that participants who took 1.8 grams of fish oil for 30 days reported less pain, less thigh swelling and greater range of motion in the knee 48 hours after 40 minutes of bench stepping than a placebo group. So make fish oil part of your daily routine.

The tip: Drink tart cherry juice in the days leading up to a tough workout, rather than using it post-workout (though the antioxidants can still be beneficial in speeding up muscle recovery).

Why it works: A study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports had 20 recreational marathon runners consume cherry juice or a placebo for five days before, the day of and 48 hours after a marathon run. They found that the runners who consumed the cherry juice recovered faster and had less inflammation than those who consumed the placebo. "Fruit juice has a lot of natural fructose which can help restore your glucose levels in your muscles and in your bloodstream so that you have fuel to burn for your next activity," explains Weintraub.