How important is a rest day?

Chris_bee05

I just started Insanity last week and it's my first rest day, but I feel wrong not working out AT ALL. How important is a rest day? Do I need to COMPLETELY rest, like no exercise at all? I did the cardio recovery day during the week, but it was all stretching and no cardio, so I did an hour of Zumba after that. Can I do Zumba today? What about that stretching disc? Should I do that again? Or what about Cardio Abs or Ab Ripper X? Can I do that or should I just rest today? How does this work, like for my body, is it best to just let it recover today?

AmyRhubarb

For me it's very important. Most trainers/fitness expert types recommend at least one rest day per week. But that doesn't mean you have to be a couch potato that day - I often go for an easy walk, do some stretching or something like that. Just no weights or hard core cardio - it's good to give your body a rest and let those muscles heal. Enjoy it!

ka97

How is your body feeling? Tired? Sore? If your body feels good, then you can always do an "active rest" - go for a walk or a hike, take a leisurely bike ride, do something that is slightly active but fun and that won't strain your body.

victoria4321

I think it's very important. You can have an active rest day too were you stretch and lift lighter weights, no more than maybe 50% you max. I just took a rest week and came back feeling so much better.

mrsmark2010

how about X Stretch? or a walk/easy run? my rest day too, and I'm contemplating what to do today. I usually do something but not an insanity workout.

Azdak

Like others have said: you are really talking about RECOVERY time, not necessarily REST time. You can do "active recovery" by doing low-level or recreational activity.

Some people can tolerate working out every day--but they sill build in "recovery days"---by going easier, going shorter (or both).

If you reach a state of overtraining--chronic fatigue, restlessness, elevated rest HR, insomnia, plateaued workouts or even some regression--then usually a complete break is needed. But, if you manage your routine properly, you don't necessarily have to take regular "rest" days--just make sure you build in "recovery" time.