Do you take a rest day?

JennyStixx

Hi all!

Just wondering how often I should be taking a "rest day". I am doing JUST cardio (elleptical) daily and am seeing success so far

How important is it for a rest day when not weight training?

Thanks so much.

sunglasses_and_ocean_waves

Of course you should try to take a rest day once a week. Having said that, personally I do not schedule one. They always tend to happen naturally, and then sometimes they happen 2 days in a row. lol So I just let my world decide for me.

yogicarl

Part of the Ashtanga yoga practise is to practise 6 days in every seven, so yes I take a rest day where I will simply take a walk or do some gardening. It helps to release the mind from becoming too focussed on targets and goals.

MeanderingMammal

It's useful to change the mode of training, so cross train, rather than doing the same thing every day. It means that different body parts get a chance to rest whilst maintaining activity levels.

With that in mind I run four or five days per week, cycle a couple of times per week and row. I generally have one day off completely, although that's driven by diary as much as anything else.

bobbijodmb

I hate rest days, I do. But with running, my body needs them. Your body probably needs them too- i heard it helps your muscles repair, blah blah blah. I do notice that as much as I hate them, that my body loves them.

But like someone said, I don't have a set day every week that is my rest day, i look at what life has going on and then it naturally happens.

snowflake930

I do something everyday.
M-F one hour on the elliptical or treadmill.
Long walks on weekends, usually several hours both Saturday and Sunday.
I was totally sedentary for too many years, and walking is good for you.

ingeborgv

I train hard for two days, then take one day "off" (but still walk a lot, do a little yoga, just something to get moving). My body responds much better on the next training day when I organize my workouts like this.

JennyStixx

Thank you all

rsclause

I have settled into early morning running 5 days a week, Nautilus set three days a week, Planks 5 days a week. Saturday and Sunday I have off. It just fit into my schedule that way.

cwolfman13

The more intense your workouts are, the more important rest days are. The elliptical isn't a particularly grueling or intense workout...I'm pretty sure you could do that daily without any problems.

Beyond that, ones rest day doesn't mean they have to be sitting around doing nothing. I still walk a good 3 miles or so on rest days...my rest days are just rest from vigorous and intense activity to allow my body to recover.

wolfgate

Recovery is required. Rest is relative.

For example, someone just starting to run should plan on days off. Many beginning running programs are 3 days a week for that reason. People who have been running for years may run 7 days a week, but still have easy recovery days. Shorter distances at a relaxed pace give the rest and recovery they need. Personally i found at my peak i still only ran 6 days a week, with 3 hard days, 3 easy days and 1 day off. It was what I needed.

JoRocka

The more intense your workouts are, the more important rest days are. The elliptical isn't a particularly grueling or intense workout...I'm pretty sure you could do that daily without any problems.

Beyond that, ones rest day doesn't mean they have to be sitting around doing nothing. I still walk a good 3 miles or so on rest days...my rest days are just rest from vigorous and intense activity to allow my body to recover.

indeed.

but- just want to throw this in there as well... if you have a rest day- and you actually don't do anything?

that's totally fine. Doing nothing and allowing you're body to recover is FINE.

My one day 'off' is Thursday. Otherwise I almost always have something going on- lifting 3 days a week and then dance 3-4 days a week. So when I have a down day- I use it to the fullest extent of my "do nothing" powers.

And that- is just FINE.

rest is important- how when and how much is highly variable.

BlueStarBoi

Sundays are my rest day, that doesn't mean i sit on the couch all day but it's the only day i don't go to the Gym.

RHachicho

Depends what you do. I never have a total sedentary day. But on the weekends I do a 2 hour walk and that's it. Those are my recovery days.

FitnessLover001

I make sundays my rest day, because honestly I hate waiting until the gyms open at 1oclock to go work out haha

AnthonyThrashD

I take one every day. j/k :P I try to take Sunday off, but I don't like sitting around the house, it's boring, so most Sundays I end up doing something more strenuous than my normal cardio :-S

JeriAnne84

I take a rest day every Wednesday. By Monday and Tuesday I can feel, especially in my legs, that they are getting real sick of my s***. I work out really hard on the weekends. On Thursday I feel amazing and can bust through a work out like a BOSS.

Lemongrab13

I'm not a fan of a rest day UNTIL I don't take it and then I have a sudden change of heart lol.
So I take a rest day (maximum 2) whenever I feel I need one in the week. So I don't have a specific day for it, just when I know my muscles need a break.
Just follow your body's signals, don't ignore them. Leads to injury and exhaustion!

kenc1971

I take a rest day every Sunday, and my only morning workout day is Saturday (M-F happens when I get home from work, before dinner). I'll still do a walk or something fun/outdoors on the weekend, so I'm not just sitting around. But, I'm not working hard either.

donnat238

I go to the gym weights and/or cardio 6 days a week. I do take Sunday off, but usually take a walk on the beach or bike ride with my family.

vmlabute

Sunday is a day of rest

JONZ64

If your working out the same muscles everyday then the don't have time to recover properly. Muscles need a break to grow and recover.

Shimmysista

I take 2 rest days a week usually Tuesday and Saturday. If i dont i tend to feel weak

the__great__beyond

If you're working out intensely, its important to give your muscles the chance to recover.

That said, for me rest days are more about doing something fun than doing nothing.

I figure that if Im doing anything, it keeps me from becoming restless



... because when I get bored, I plot mischief...



.. and when I plot mischief, I rent out a panda suit...



and when I get a panda suit, I tend to turn into a real mean *kitten*



and when I'm an *kitten*, things tend to go up in flames



no one needs to have that happen... so I choose to do something fun on my rest days

Sam_I_Am77

Listen to your body. If you're starting to feel run-down then give yourself a rest day. So often people don't want to take a rest day because they're afraid of gaining back weight or losing progress when that's really not the case. If you're gaining weight back after one or two rest days then your nutrition needs some serious focus.

Personally, I take 2 to 4 rest days a week depending on how I feel. I do some intense strength training 3 days per week and then I'll get in some HIIT cardio 2 or 3 days as well depending on how I feel, time, work, etc.

Mikkimeow

I usually take an active rest day; meaning I still do some type of exercise. I go hiking with my dogs or take my daughter to the pool and swim. I will take on day off a month where I will not exercise at all, just to let my body rest.

jolarocknrolla

not weight training?? AWAY WITH YOU! (kidding, though seriously add in 2 days of weights at least, your long-term results will be better. It's ok if you want to start out on the elliptical only but eventually hit those weights for better results in body composition)

AusAshMommy

I schedule a rest day every week - here lately that's been on a Monday, previously it was Wednesday, but it'll fluctuate again if and when my body tells me otherwise.

That being said I do long hard workouts 6-Days a week and therefore I have to rest one night a week.

My typical workout, Tues-Thurs-Sat, C25K x 40-44 Mins, Elliptical x 18 Mins Leg Weights x 50 Mins w/5 Mins Stretching
Wed-Fri-Sun = Elliptical x 45 Mins, Treadmill x 18 Mins, Arm Weights x 50 Mins

So I am going hard every night when I am at the gym, and I have nights sometimes when I absolutely CRASH and will literally sleep for 11-12 hours.

These workouts on top of working 8 hours/day and tending to 2 kids, 5 animals + a husband.

Velum_cado

I take one when I feel I need it. Generally every 4-5 days or so.

SXMEnrico

Some people take a rest day per week. Some take 2. I personally only take rest days when my body needs it. I can go sometimes weeks without taking a rest day, but usually if I am falling behind on my sleep I will take a rest day and make it a point to get to bed as early as possible. That seems to refresh my nervous system.

codycsweet

Yes usually 1-2 days. I just listen to my body. And I still usually go for a walk so an active rest day and then occasionally as I need it I'll do a total lazy day to relax read a book or just to enjoy the day with my family.