Day of Rest?

Jacleepin

Each day I am working out 30 minutes on the eliptical along with some calisthenics. I am about 80-60 pounds overweight. Should I be taking a rest day? In my head, I feel like since it's cardio, I don't need a rest day. But the other side of me (lazy) says, "Yes, take a rest day." I took a day off last week and the next day I jumped from 68 crunches in a minute to 78 crunches in a minute! I thought, I guess a rest was beneficial. But I'm not sure that it is so far as my cardio. I'm trying to lose fat. What is recommended? I don't want to burn out, but burn this fat!

schmenge55

I workout 7 days a week, and some aerobic every day. I also rest. The rest is a given muscle group. Normally for aerobic I run but two days I do the bike or elliptical instead

AlanByam

I think it's different for everyone. Since I'm new to running, and trying to progress, I believe a rest day is ideal to let my legs recover. At least until I get more physically fit. Right now I do mon, wed, fri, as running, tues thurs sat as low impact, high intensity cardio (like elliptical at 70-90% heart rate), with sunday as a rest day.

KeithAngilly

I rest completely two days a week, but I think a least one is highly recommended. Recovery days are when you actually gain something for your efforts. It does depend on the intensity of the exercise bouts, though.

STrooper

Here is a simple rule at your current level: if your muscles are getting sore from the cardio to the point that it interferes with your doing today's workout, yes, you need a rest day.

But generally speaking, you probably won't need many of them, even to start.

For those of us training/running long distances or doing some serious weight training, rest days for the muscle groups that you are putting under a lot of stress are a definite must.

I did not take rest days (except when I slipped and injured my knee) when I started walking to lose weight. I lost every pound you see by walking and towards then end really adjusting my food intake.

Now that I am running marathons with various training routines, rest days are a must. But the simple rule listed above applies.