Should I vary my workouts and take a rest day each week?

CookiesandCrunches16

Should I vary my workouts and take a rest day each week, preferably on Sunday?

musicfan68

Resting depends on what you're doing. I do weight lifting and do my entire routine when I go to the gym because it's a 20 mile drive to the gym. So I rest every other day, workout every other day. Unless I'm walking. You can do that every day. I just listen to my body. Sometimes after consistently working out every other day for a few weeks , I need to take an extra day off.

cwolfman13

It depends on what you're doing. You should have rest from more vigorous exercise...rest is where your body recovers and where you make your fitness gains. Keep in mind that a rest day doesn't mean you have to sit around doing nothing...you're just resting from more intense exercise...I still walk, do yoga, go for family hikes, etc on rest days. If you're lifting you shouldn't be working the same muscles or groups of muscles on consecutive days.

What do you mean by "vary my workouts?" I primarily cycle and lift...I cycle at various intensities and do different things throughout the week like hills on Tuesday, tempo rides on Thursday, etc...

quiltlovinlisa

I like varied workouts because it keeps me from getting bored. I have a hard time sticking with one program. I try to get some sort of strength, upper and lower, twice a week. Some type of cardio a few times a week and yesterday I tried a barre based workout, that I can really feel today. I've also been throwing in kettlebells (way fun!)

If you're lifting heavy, just had an extra strenuous, extra long workout or are just feeling extra fatigued, you need to rest. I don't take an actual rest day, I do some light type cardio, like going for a brisk walk, but it's up to you on what you decide to do.

briscogun

I have two different routines that I alternate every day: I'm doing a C25K program and a YAYOG program. I try to take a day off in the middle of the week just so I can rest and catch up on an hours worth of extra sleep most of the time, but sometimes I just go 7 days and plow through if I'm feeling good. But generally speaking, you don't want to do the same type of workout on back-to-back days.

I may take a rest day tomorrow because of the darn time change. Stupid daylight savings...

arditarose

Like others have said. It depends on what you're doing. A bit of cardio everyday? Why not vary it, sure. Take a rest day, sure. Maybe two, or an active rest day. Keep a schedule you can be consistent with.

If you are weight training, you should have planned rest days-yes.