Rest Days

NOLAdy

Is there a benefit to taking certain days for rest? I normally do my workouts Monday through Friday because that's when it's easiest for me. Though, even on weekends I get something in either with my kids or because I've just got energy to burn. Tonight I saw, on an Abs Diet For Women DVD, a trainer say that your body needs a day in between workouts to rest and repair itself. My goal is to gain muscle so I want to do whatever is most effective.

VialOfDreams

Yes, it is necessary to take a day's rest between working out muscles. Otherwise your muscles will become fatigued and the risk of injury increases. (I do cardio every day, but take a rest day between strength training.)

A good way to do this is to focus on a muscle group a day. For ex. do upper body training on Monday, then core training Tuesday, lower body on Wed, and then go back to upper body on Thu etc. You should also incorporate exercises that incorporate several muscle groups, such as planks, push-ups, crunches with weights, lunges with weights or squats with weights/ball.

jrbanta

I worked with a trainer last winter. She told me when doing strength training with weights you should rest the muscle group you worked on the next day. You can still workout consecutive days but do upper body one day and lower body the next. I think there are many different theories/approaches depending on who you talk to. I do cardio 4-6 days per week for 45-60 minutes and am adding strength training/weights 2 times per week. After you hear from people see what works for you and go with it. I like days of rest when lifting weights...

kylakesgal

I was a fitness trainer and yes its important to give your muscles a day in between to rebuild themselves. Doing mostly cardio every other day is the best way. So work yourself hard one day, next day to some strength training if you like but mostly cardio. Hope this helps:)

NOLAdy

OK I understand. I was under the impression that a rest day meant doing no type of workout. I was like, "Oh, Lord, I can't not do anything". Thanks, guys.