Working out is proven to boost endorphins, which can be an addictive feeling. Taking you training and workouts seriously is important, but rest days are often overlooked. Many believe that more is better when it comes to their fitness routine. Easy rest days allow for your body to recover, rebuild and grow stronger for future workouts. Understanding rest days can help take your fitness to the next level!
Help you get stronger
Muscle is developed at the repair stage which occurs during rest and refueling. Working out creates tiny tears in your muscle tissue, so while at rest your muscles heal and grow stronger allowing you to do the same workout with less effort next time.
Avoid Injury
Rest days help your body recover, working out when your body is tired leads to more likely injury. Due to poor form or less coordination. Overuse injuries are also a risk for constant stress and strain on the body. Avoid being out of the game for weeks, by taking a rest day here and there.
Make your fitness progress
Rather than moving forward in your fitness level, you can risk progression coming to a halt or even reverse. Exercise releases stress hormones, and when these are elevated for too long it can have a negative impact on your health. Overtraining can cause your central nervous system to become unbalanced and without the proper time to rest and recover it can leave your body feeling tired and drained.
Allows you to train harder
Taking time off from training gives your body and mind time to reset and recharge. Your muscles will be rested for your next workout and you can go in with a clear mind ready for a great workout.
Build Long-term routine
Allowing for rest days, and flexibility in your workout schedule allows for your workout schedule to become more sustainable in the long run. Building healthy habits will help you maintain fitness in the long run.
The number of rest days varies person to person, based on goals and type of exercise each individual enjoys. Find the days that work best in your schedule to rest and the others to workout. Remember though it’s ok for your schedule to be thrown off a little and in the long run creating a sustainable routine will promote the most results. Listen to your body and how it is feeling, there is no shame in taking an extra day off from the gym if your body needs it! Listening will help you create a better relationship with your body and exercise!
Written by GUADS intern Emma, with contributions from thebodycoach.com
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