Working out hard and challenging yourself to next level fitness is a great goal. Pushing yourself too hard, though, can actually undo all of your efforts. Whether you’re fully engaged in a group class, running full speed on a treadmill, or lifting weights on the regular — more isn’t always better.
Incorporating rest days into your fitness routine gives your muscles a chance to repair and recover, especially if you normally engage in high intensity exercise. This may sound counterintuitive, but your muscles need time to rebound from all the hard work and stress they’ve just endured.
Are we suggesting a day on the couch? Not at all!
Body Basics
Here’s a simple explanation.
Carbs we eat are broken down into glucose, which is the main source of our body’s energy. Glucose that isn’t used is stored in muscles as glycogen.
Think of it in automotive terms. Gas is what keeps your car going, and glycogen is the fuel for your exercise. Just as your car’s gas tank registers empty after a long drive, your muscles become deplete in glycogen after a hardcore workout. And just as you fill up your gas tank when it’s empty; rest days give your muscles time to replenish glycogen levels.
By not allowing rest in between high intensity workout days, you’re actually creating muscle strain and fatigue — and you may even increase your chance of injury.
Rest Day Ideas
If your body is telling you it needs rest, then listen to it! You’re not being lazy, you’re just allowing yourself to recover.
Everyone is different, so the type of rest days you choose depends on how frequent and intense your workouts are. If you still want to exercise on your rest day, build your schedule to routinely include lower impact activities like these:
- Stretch it out with yoga group exercise at our Corpus Christi gyms.
- Take a leisurely walk on the treadmill or an easy ride on an indoor bike.
- Rotate muscle groups during strength training. For example, schedule an arm day and rest your leg muscles — and vice versa.
Your fitness routine isn’t really complete without a rest day (or two). Your homework? If you haven’t already, adjust your routine to include rest!
