How often do you take a break?

bettieb1988

This week I worked out 7 days a week. HIIT every day and strength training every other day. When should I take a day off or is it even necessary to take a break at all?

hill8570

Depends on the intensity of the workouts, but if you don't feel like you could use a break, you don't need one.

You don't say how long you've been following this schedule, but be wary of burnout -- you want to keep fit for the rest of your life, not just until you fit into your skinny jeans (or whatever your short-term goal is).

jdhcm2006

Sundays are my rest day. I workout Mon-Sat, and majority of those days are double workouts. My body needs the rest.

arditarose

Rest is good! Why not take it? I used to feel guilty about rest days. Then I started doing Wendler's 5/3/1 and I am happy as crap on rest days.

beemerphile1

Your body gains strength on rest days, not workout days. Exercising creates micro tears in muscles which then become stronger when the muscles heal.

Only you can determine how much rest you need. Many people overtrain and it is counterproductive to improvement.

bigd66218

beemerphile1 wrote: »

Your body gains strength on rest days, not workout days. Exercising creates micro tears in muscles which then become stronger when the muscles heal.

Only you can determine how much rest you need. Many people overtrain and it is counterproductive to improvement.

I agree 100% with this comment...I usually lift 3 days a week, on Fri. Sat. Tue. with 2 days rest I can recover and increase my sets. Cardio(walking outside) when weather pemits until I can roll the bike out.