Exercise After CoolSculpting: Can I Work Out After My Treatment?
CoolSculpting is a popular, non-invasive alternative to liposuction. It’s a gentle body contouring treatment that freezes and kills excess fat cells using an FDA-cleared device. Once the cells freeze, the body then works to metabolize them. The result is a smoother, slimmer silhouette that can boost your confidence and turn heads. CoolSculpting may be right for you if you want the physique-enhancing benefits of liposuction without the associated scarring or downtime.
If you’re close to your goal weight but can’t seem to rid yourself of stubborn fat pockets, CoolSculpting can help. But can you exercise after CoolSculpting, and is it necessary to do so? The answer is a definitive “Yes!”
CoolSculpting is excellent for getting rid of fat cells and smoothing the appearance of cellulite. But it’s not a miracle worker. After treatment, you’ll need to adopt a consistent exercise routine to tighten up your appearance and develop shapely muscles. Here’s a brief overview of how CoolSculpting works and how regular exercise after CoolSculpting can benefit you.
How CoolSculpting Works
CoolSculpting is a non-invasive body contouring treatment for belly fat, thighs, double chins, and more. It uses a method of cell freezing called cryolipolysis. Since fat cells freeze at a higher temperature than other body cells, the CoolSculpting device can freeze the fat cells without damaging surrounding cells.
Freezing the fat cells kills them and stimulates the body to eliminate them. It does this by metabolizing (or eating) the dead cells and using them for energy. This isn’t an overnight process and can take several months. For this reason, you may not see the final results of your treatment for up to four months afterward. But you should be able to see some noticeable changes to your body in as little as four weeks.
The Importance of an Initial CoolSculpting Consultation
Before setting up a treatment time with your provider, make sure you sit down for a consultation. This isn’t something you want to skip because it allows you to ask your provider any questions about the procedure. Plus, it gives your provider a chance to talk with you about your unique aesthetic desires and develop a personalized treatment plan for you.
How to Prepare for Your CoolSculpting Appointment
Once you’ve had your consultation, it’s time to schedule your treatment. Even though CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure, you may still want to avoid scheduling important events or get-togethers right after treatment. It’s best to give yourself a day or two to recover from any potential soreness you may experience at the treatment sites. Keep that in mind when deciding on your treatment date.
On the day of your procedure, take time to pick out comfortable, loose clothing that’s easy to slip on and off. You’ll receive disposable clothing for your CoolSculpting session, but you’ll want to have something comfy to put on afterward. Your provider may also recommend bringing compression garments with you to facilitate post-treatment recovery.
CoolSculpting treatment doesn’t take too long (typically an hour or less, depending on whether you’re treating multiple areas). However, you may still want to bring along a form of entertainment to keep from getting bored. A phone or book can keep you engaged during your treatment session. Or, you can feel free to simply lie back and relax!
It’s crucial to stay hydrated in the days before and after your treatment. Your body will feel more sensitive to discomfort and have a harder time recovering if it’s dehydrated.
What to Expect During Your CoolSculpting Treatment
During your appointment, your provider gently places an applicator on the treatment area. Then, you’ll feel a cooling sensation as the device begins to freeze the subcutaneous fat cells. You may feel some mild pinching, tugging, stinging, and cramping during treatment. These sensations should never be severe or unbearable. They should begin to subside throughout your treatment as the targeted area becomes numb from the cold.
Treating a single area may take as little as 35 minutes. However, if multiple areas are treated at once, you should expect your treatment time to be longer. Once your treatment is complete, your provider may gently massage the targeted site. This may help enhance the fat reduction results by breaking up the frozen fat cells. Your provider will also give you post-treatment instructions. Follow these instructions to heal quickly and get the best possible treatment outcome.
What to Expect Right After Treatment
Immediately after your session, you may notice some short-term changes in the treated area. These are part of your body’s natural response and a sign that the fat-freezing process is working:
Mild redness, swelling, or tingling that may last for a few hours to a couple of days.
Temporary numbness or firmness in the skin, which gradually improves as your body adjusts.
Slight soreness similar to post-workout muscle fatigue, especially if larger areas were treated.
Some patients also describe sensations like itching or sensitivity to touch as the nerves “wake up” in the treated area. These effects are common, temporary, and generally not disruptive to daily life.
While CoolSculpting doesn’t require a true recovery period like surgery does, it’s important to listen to your body. Giving yourself a little time to adjust before diving back into strenuous workouts will help you stay comfortable and ensure you get the smoothest, most consistent results.
Quick Comfort Tips After CoolSculpting
Wear loose, breathable clothing – Soft fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking activewear prevent unnecessary friction on the treated area. Tight waistbands, shapewear, or rough fabrics can increase irritation and prolong redness or swelling. Opt for comfortable clothing that allows your skin to “breathe” as it recovers.
Take gentle walks – Light walking is encouraged within the first 24 hours because it boosts circulation, promotes lymphatic drainage, and helps your body process the treated fat cells. Keep your pace relaxed and avoid long or strenuous cardio sessions until any soreness subsides.
Avoid heat exposure – Heat can increase swelling and sensitivity in the treatment area. Skip hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and hot yoga for at least a few days. Instead, choose cool showers and relaxing, low-impact activities to stay comfortable.
These small adjustments may seem simple, but they make a noticeable difference in how your body feels in the first 24–48 hours. By supporting your comfort and recovery, you’ll be setting the stage for smoother, more effective results.
Working Out After CoolSculpting
It’s pretty common to be told not to work out after various medical and aesthetic treatments. For this reason, it’s natural to wonder, “Can I exercise after Cool Sculpting?” The good news is that CoolSculpting is not invasive like some other fat-reduction procedures. Therefore, working out after CoolSculpting is not only allowed — it’s highly recommended!
But can you work out after CoolSculpting if you feel sore and swollen? The answer to this question is a little tricky. For some people, exercising immediately after CoolSculpting can slow down the body’s healing processes. Other people may find that gentle exercises can actually make swelling and soreness go away faster. The key is listening to your body and doing what feels right. You can also ask your provider, “Can I work out after CoolSculpting, or should I wait a few days?” They should be able to give you good advice based on your body’s response to the treatment.
Safe Exercise Timeline After CoolSculpting
Day 0–1 (The First 24 Hours):
Stick to light walking or gentle stretching if you feel up to it.
Avoid vigorous exercise, sweating, or activities that create friction around the treated area.
Prioritize hydration and rest.
Days 2–3:
Many people feel comfortable resuming low-impact activities like yoga, light cardio, or body-weight workouts.
Avoid direct pressure on treated areas (e.g., crunches after abdominal treatment).
Week 1–2:
Most patients can return to moderate workouts, strength training, or group classes.
Listen to your body: if soreness lingers, scale back intensity.
Beyond Week 2:
Resume your regular fitness routine.
Pairing CoolSculpting with consistent exercise and healthy eating helps you maximize results.
The Benefits of Exercising After CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting is a remarkable procedure that delivers exceptional body-sculpting results on its own. But to maximize your results, you should plan to exercise after your treatment. Continued exercise is necessary for maintaining the body shape that you want. More importantly, it’s essential for maintaining your physical and mental health.
CoolSculpting providers usually aren’t surprised when patients ask, “Can I exercise after fat freezing?” It’s natural to think you need to limit physical activity after body sculpting procedures. But here are some of the top reasons to dive into a regular workout routine within a few days of your treatment.
1. Exercise May Speed Your Recovery
Contrary to popular belief, exercise isn’t always harmful after aesthetic procedures. In the case of noninvasive treatments like CoolSculpting, gentle exercises may actually enhance recovery time. Walking, swimming, and similar exercises can boost blood circulation and help the lymph system remove unwanted cells. It may also reduce inflammation and allow soreness to dissipate faster.
The key to getting the best benefits from post-CoolSculpting workouts is to start slowly and work up to more intense workouts. Don’t jump immediately into an intense aerobics class, or you could stretch your healing time out even longer. Instead, engage in gentle body movements such as walking or Yoga until you feel like your body is ready for something more challenging.
2. Exercise May Boost Your Results
CoolSculpting will help slim you down but won’t give you a stronger, more muscular physique. However, exercise combined with CoolSculpting can deliver incredible body-toning results. If you want to maintain your new physique for as long as possible, don’t discount the importance of regularly working up a sweat.
In addition to its ample physical health benefits, exercise can also have a powerful impact on your mental health. Experts know that even short periods of exercise can ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. So, even on days when you can’t get a full 30- or 60-minute workout in, aim for just 10-15 minutes. Any activity is better than no activity at all and can help you maintain a balanced mood as well as a more shapely body.
3. Exercise May Help You Maintain Your Results Longer
CoolSculpting leads to the permanent removal of targeted fat cells. Once your body metabolizes the cells, they can’t grow back. Therefore, this treatment can result in long-term fat reduction results. However, it is still possible for the remaining fat cells to become enlarged due to diet and inactivity. If you want long-lasting results from your CoolSculpting treatment, you need to be physically active. Working out after CoolSculpting is essential for maintaining your slimmer physique.
The Best Types of Exercises for Boosting Your CoolSculpting Results
CoolSculpting and exercise go hand in hand, but is there a certain type of exercise you should do to get optimal results? Well, it turns out there are several types of exercise that can help you create the body of your dreams. Every good workout routine should ideally include each of the following exercise varieties:
Strength Training
Strength training involves using weight machines, free weights, or resistance bands to sculpt specific groups of muscles. If you want to be “strong skinny,” you should aim to do some form of strength training at least three times per week.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercises include brisk walking, cycling, running, and other activities that increase the heart rate. These types of exercise are great for burning excess calories and helping you maintain a solid figure. They can also improve your cardiovascular health and enhance your CoolSculpting treatment results. The Department of Health and Human Services advises most healthy adults to engage in moderate aerobic activity for at least 150 each week. Or, you can opt to participate in vigorous aerobic activities for a minimum of 75 minutes per week.
Core Exercises
Your core muscles include your abdominal and back muscles. These muscle groups help to give your torso support and stability. They also play an important role in maintaining posture and flexibility. CoolSculpting treatments often target the core because this is where many people experience excess fat accumulation.
To enhance the results of your CoolSculpting treatment, perform regular core exercises. These may include crunches, planks, superman lifts, and other movements that challenge and strengthen the midsection. Don’t forget to focus on your core’s front and back sides. For every group of abdominal exercises you perform, try to achieve an equal number of back exercises.
Things to Do After CoolSculpting
In addition to exercising, here are a few other things you should consider doing after your treatment to enhance your CoolSculpting results:
Your provider may recommend a series of CoolSculpting treatments for the best results. Many people receive multiple treatments. Your provider will recommend the correct number of treatments based on your aesthetic goals and expectations.
Things to Avoid After CoolSculpting
Just as there are certain things you should do after CoolSculpting to enhance your recovery and results, there are also things you should avoid. Here are a few things your provider may instruct you not to do after your appointment:
How to Speed Up Fat Loss After CoolSculpting
CoolSculpting delivers exceptional fat reduction on its own by permanently eliminating treated fat cells. Still, your lifestyle choices play a big role in how quickly and dramatically you see results, and how long those results last. Think of your treatment as a powerful tool, and your everyday habits as the fuel that keeps it working at its best.
Drink Lots of Water
Water supports your body’s natural lymphatic system, which is responsible for flushing out the crystallized fat cells destroyed during CoolSculpting. Aim for at least 8 glasses a day, and consider adding hydrating foods like cucumbers, citrus fruits, and leafy greens.
Prioritize a Whole-Food Diet
Choose lean proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal energy and repair. This type of diet not only helps speed your fat-elimination process but also prevents new fat cells from expanding.
Maintain a Consistent Workout Routine
Exercise doesn’t just help you burn calories; it improves circulation, supports muscle tone, and enhances your overall metabolism. A mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises will keep your body active and make your CoolSculpting results more noticeable.
Limit Processed and Sugary Foods
Heavily processed meals, sugary snacks, sodas, and foods containing trans fats or artificial additives can slow down your progress and counteract your fat loss efforts. By cutting back on these items, you’ll allow your CoolSculpting results to shine through more effectively.
Think Long-Term Lifestyle, Not Quick Fixes
The fat cells treated during CoolSculpting are gone for good, but the remaining ones can still expand if you gain weight. A balanced, intentional lifestyle helps ensure that your slimmer contours stay defined for years to come.
Schedule Your CoolSculpting Body Contouring Procedure
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can you work out after CoolSculpting?” the answer is hopefully very clear by now. A good workout regimen can enhance your CoolSculpting results and help them last longer. Ready to finally slim down your physique and boost your self-confidence? Schedule a CoolSculpting treatment with Calista Skin & Laser Center today and say goodbye to unwanted fat cells for good! We’re proud to be a leading CoolSculpting provider in Colleyville, TX, and we also serve the Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Southlake areas.
Schedule a consultation
Please fill out the form below or call us at 817-488-3838
Schedule a consultation
Please fill out the form below or call us at 817-488-3838