REST DAY

packersfan0103
packersfan0103 Posts: 251 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Do I ABSOLUTELY have to have a rest day? I feel like if I don't stick to the routine I will just go off track and to be completely honest. I kind of had quite a rest days.
Input please.

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    If you have to ask, then no, you probably don't.

    But, the bigger question here is whether or not your routine is properly suited to your goals and ability.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited December 2015
    it depends on what you're doing. if you're regularly putting in vigorous workouts then rest is pretty important and should be an integral part of your fitness regimen. rest is where recovery happens...and recovery is what leads to improved fitness.

    if you look at a rest day as an element of your fitness that is just as important as the actual work and you schedule it appropriately then you shouldn't go off track...because you would be on plan.

    also, rest day doesn't mean you have to be sitting around on your *kitten* doing nothing...rest days are rest from moderate to vigorous exercise activity. i still go for walks on rest days...i still go on recreational rides with my family...i often do yoga on my rest day, etc.

    if it helps, think of it as a recovery day...and you can have a recovery day and still be active that day.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    jacksonpt wrote: »
    If you have to ask, then no, you probably don't.

    But, the bigger question here is whether or not your routine is properly suited to your goals and ability.

    These are good points.

    I think that rest days are good. However, rest days don't have to be sedentary sit-on-the-couch-and-do-nothing days. Ask people what they do on rest days and you'll find that they do yardwork, walk the dog, take a hike with family, play on their community soccer league, etc.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Depending on what you're doing.....recovery days yes (especially if you're running and/or weightlifting) sedentary "rest" days...no, you can have active recovery days, walking, cycling, swimming etc etc
  • packersfan0103
    packersfan0103 Posts: 251 Member
    Thanks everyone. I'm going to change my mindset to "recovery days" instead of "rest days" and go for a walk. Or maybe even a 20 minute rebounding workout.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    packersfan0103 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. I'm going to change my mindset to "recovery days" instead of "rest days" and go for a walk. Or maybe even a 20 minute rebounding workout.

    Light stretching, walking, slow movement yoga, anything that is not taxing the muscles you have been taxing (possibly over taxing) during your regular workouts. Those muscles could be used, warmed up, lossened up just not "exercised". Do you have a site for that "rebounding workout"? Sounds like that could be a good idea.
  • tillerstouch
    tillerstouch Posts: 608 Member
    If you're weight lifting yes you need a rest day. But like a few others have said rest day doesn't need to be sit on the couch all day. Light cardio like a long walk is perfect for a rest day.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    I do weights 4 days on 3 off and biking 6 days aweek
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    If you do the same thing every day (such as running), you definitely need rest/recovery days. However, if you do different types of training and splits, I don't see anything wrong with going every day as long as you have a few light/moderate intensity days in there.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    2 factors no one has mentioned... rest (sleep) and calories. Insufficient sleep and/or cals (especially both) can make rest days more necessary as it will take longer for your body to recover from a hard workout.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    Yes, you need rest days.

    Muscles are torn and damaged when you work out, they heal when resting. Strength is actually gained on the rest days, not the work out days.
  • packersfan0103
    packersfan0103 Posts: 251 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    packersfan0103 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. I'm going to change my mindset to "recovery days" instead of "rest days" and go for a walk. Or maybe even a 20 minute rebounding workout.

    Light stretching, walking, slow movement yoga, anything that is not taxing the muscles you have been taxing (possibly over taxing) during your regular workouts. Those muscles could be used, warmed up, lossened up just not "exercised". Do you have a site for that "rebounding workout"? Sounds like that could be a good idea.

    I usually just go to Youtube. Another MFP user sent me a link for purchasing some dvd's
  • packersfan0103
    packersfan0103 Posts: 251 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    Depending on what you're doing.....recovery days yes (especially if you're running and/or weightlifting) sedentary "rest" days...no, you can have active recovery days, walking, cycling, swimming etc etc

    I thought swimming would fall under cardio? I go to the aqua class at my gym and my goodness. I didn't know you could sweat that much in a pool.
  • dn0pes
    dn0pes Posts: 99 Member
    Rest days are a misnomer. Round here I get to do the things that I have been negligent, vacuum, clean house, put up Christmas decorations.. Who has time to lie around. Wish I did. Not whining. I love my life. Just no time!!!!!
  • packersfan0103
    packersfan0103 Posts: 251 Member
    edited December 2015
    dn0pes wrote: »
    Rest days are a misnomer. Round here I get to do the things that I have been negligent, vacuum, clean house, put up Christmas decorations.. Who has time to lie around. Wish I did. Not whining. I love my life. Just no time!!!!!

    Well if we are going to consider chore day as non rest then I guess I never get to rest.
  • dn0pes
    dn0pes Posts: 99 Member
    Probably so.

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