We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Rest days.

RoadsterGirlie
RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
edited January 6 in Fitness and Exercise
How many days a week do you give yourself a rest from exercise, and why? Right now I'm working out 5 days a week for an hour, with two days of rest. The days always vary, depending on my schedule.

Replies

  • tetecia
    tetecia Posts: 75 Member
    I try to shoot for at least 1 day a week. But, sometimes i'm so exhausted that i only workout maybe 4-5 days a week. My workouts aren't very long usually 30-60 minutes/day. If i'm feeling really good and full of energy i'll do 90 minutes/day/
  • How many days a week do you give yourself a rest from exercise, and why? Right now I'm working out 5 days a week for an hour, with two days of rest. The days always vary, depending on my schedule.

    same..i dont count hours thp:D
  • Crazy4Healthy
    Crazy4Healthy Posts: 626 Member
    I usually have at least one, sometimes two depending on schedules and how hard my workouts have been that week. I typically weight train 3 days a week and try to run 2-3 days a week (short runs, 3 miles or so). The body needs rest. Every 4-6 weeks, I will take an 3-5 days off weight training and it usually works out really well, feel much more pumped and energetic when I start back up.
  • fionarama
    fionarama Posts: 788 Member
    I don't believe in scheduling rest days as due to life balance commitments I would never manage to train every day. I try to work out every day but don't beat myself up if I've worked out 3-4 times in a week and then decide to take a day off. For instance I would normally train today but i have a flu and temperature so am hanging out online instead!
  • 0-1. I only take a day off if I'm really sick. Even then, I try to at least run or bike.
  • sovannac
    sovannac Posts: 445 Member
    I usually try to take one day of rest. I try to work out 6 days a week. I don't schedule the day ahead of time, I just listen to my body.
  • Emtabo01
    Emtabo01 Posts: 672
    One rest day since I started 4 months ago, up until last week, then I changed to 2, which cuts some cardio out of my routine.
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Lately I have only been taking rest days on days when I'm working as a caterer and running around for 6 hours (though sometimes I'll do cardio on work days), which can be anywhere from 2-4 days a week. Or I rest on days where I have really bad DOMS or I strained something or I'm sleep-deprived. I'm clearly not very good at "listening to my body" and it's something I need to work on.
  • oakfruit
    oakfruit Posts: 20 Member
    I don't really take rest days. I really enjoy all my various physical activities and get rather bored/restless if I don't at least do a bit of yoga and go for a long walk. However, I'm not like most people on here - my workouts aren't too intense - and I think if I worked out harder, I'd start wanting longer recovery periods. When I used to strength train, I'd only go to the gym every other day; seemed to work for me.
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    Resting 2-3 days a week, with my current routine I'm resting 3 days a week
  • RoadsterGirlie
    RoadsterGirlie Posts: 1,195 Member
    Thanks guys for the responses. I was thinking about bumping my workouts up to 6 days a week rather than five. However, I do workout at a very high intensity for that one hour, so I think it's best to stick with what I'm doing. I'm happy with the results so far - the exercise just feels good that's why I was wondering.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    Usually just 1 day/week
  • jonesin_am
    jonesin_am Posts: 404 Member
    Saturdays are my one rest day per week and even then I still try to go out for a leisurly walk to stretch and warm up my muscles. I go to boot camp three days a week, and run about 20-25 miles during the work week. I then give my body a rest day before my long run on Sunday (7-13 miles). I also recently added some light body weight lifting in the evenings.
  • JustANumber85
    JustANumber85 Posts: 644 Member
    MWF i workout, TTH i do pilates (so sort of rest?) weekends are free.
  • ferniejoy
    ferniejoy Posts: 61 Member
    One to two days. I rested yesterday, and my workout was better today.
  • When I'm on a routine (getting back to it) my rest days are days I just walk and do yoga and I never plan them, just when I feel I need it.
  • Carolyn_79
    Carolyn_79 Posts: 935 Member
    I take 2 rest days.
  • SMN1392
    SMN1392 Posts: 14 Member
    My rest day is my weekly weigh in day. A little reward :smile:
  • _stephanie0
    _stephanie0 Posts: 708 Member
    3-4 rest days


    do i like this? no. but i do crossfit and work retail so my job doesnt always match up with the classes.

    2 would be ideal. :)
  • Weebs628
    Weebs628 Posts: 574 Member
    I usually take 3-4 rest days. On the days I do workout, I do a lot. My "rest days" are usually days that I work so I'm still on my feet all day walking around (I work retail).
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
    I do that also. I work out Monday through Friday and take weekends off. It's awesome that way I have one on one time with my son and husband........ lol... btw-I still clean a lot so I track that because I sweat.......
  • TommiEgan
    TommiEgan Posts: 256 Member
    I listen to my body. If I need to rest I do.
  • albinogorilla
    albinogorilla Posts: 1,056 Member
    4
This discussion has been closed.