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Define 'rest day'

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know that rest days are necessary... I just very rarely take one. I feel guilty if I don't at least go for a 2/3 miles walk or something... Is it ok? Or would it really be better just spend one day not doing anything? I typically do a dvd workout 6x a week (PiYo, it's about 30 minutes) and run or walk between 3 and 5 miles on top of that 3/4x a week.

Replies

  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    Rest day: A day where you don't engage in your normal exercise routine that allows your muscles to sufficiently recover. I always take active rest days where I walk or use the push mower instead of the riding mower for field mowing.
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    I know that rest days are necessary... I just very rarely take one. I feel guilty if I don't at least go for a 2/3 miles walk or something... Is it ok? Or would it really be better just spend one day not doing anything? I typically do a dvd workout 6x a week (PiYo, it's about 30 minutes) and run or walk between 3 and 5 miles on top of that 3/4x a week.

    a hike, walk or light jog or bike ride - they would all be considered rest days. :smile:
  • parkscs
    parkscs Posts: 1,639 Member
    Rest day doesn't mean sit on the couch and play xbox. It means you're resting from your primary activities and allowing the muscles used in those activities to recover. So for example, if you're a lifter, don't try and do a bunch of heavy beltless deadlifts on your rest day, but it's fine to go for a lengthy walk and generally stay active (e.g., working on projects around the house). I would probably not do any high intensity activities (e.g., HIIT) on a rest day but low intensity activity is fine. If you're truly overtraining and not recovering in between workouts, you'd probably know it.
  • mhlew
    mhlew Posts: 377 Member
    My rest days I go to the gym and will do the sauna and steam room. I will do 10 mins sauna, come out and rest- go in the steam room for 10 and rest, back in sauna for 10, then steam room for 5. Then do whatever I want for the rest of the day. Then hit the gym hard a day or 2 later.
  • MagnumBurrito
    MagnumBurrito Posts: 1,070 Member
    Only doing activities that are easy for you.
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    Sunday is my "full" rest day. Other than incidental walking, or going to the park with the kids, and laundry, I do NO exercise activities. I take another "active rest" day midweek, where I may walk or lightly jog 3 miles or less.

    So, for me, I understand a rest day as not doing anything above a walking/hiking pace. For some of us, a bike ride or a light jog is "rest". For others (like me), that's walking type stuff only.

    Don't feel guilty. Rest days ARE still part of our training, from walkers and joggers to marathoners and body builders.
  • waltcote
    waltcote Posts: 372 Member
    Sounds like you are doing a rest day. Compared to your other workout days I think walking a short distance is a good rest. Like anything else on here, sometimes your body will let you know when something is lacking like rest or more calories. Just my opinion. :bigsmile:
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    I still try to walk a good amount (get 10,000 steps, go for a relaxing walk) on a rest day. I'd also be willing to ride my bike for transportation purposes, so long as I kept it at a relaxing speed. Just no weights or harder cardio, no pushing myself.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I know that rest days are necessary... I just very rarely take one. I feel guilty if I don't at least go for a 2/3 miles walk or something... Is it ok?

    "Rest day" is dependent on fitness level and what a "normal" day looks like. Limiting yourself to a 5k run can be considered a rest day, in the right context.
  • MsSashaFire
    MsSashaFire Posts: 49
    I know what you mean cause I hate having to take a rest day, and I usually don't unless my body is screaming for it like today. I like to have a lot of calories to work with through out the day, which is why I workout at 5am so I know what I'm dealing with the rest of the day.
  • ElvenToad
    ElvenToad Posts: 644 Member
    Rest day doesn't mean sit on the couch and play xbox.

    I guess I'm doing it wrong :laugh:
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Rest day for me = no planned exercise.

    I might walk my dogs for 20 minutes or an hour. I might go for a swim at my in-law's. I might do some yard work. I might sit on my butt all day long (like I pretty much did yesterday - less than 3000 steps on the Fitbit! Haha!).

    I always always always take at least one day off per week, and a full week of no planned exercise ever few months. I love it - always come back refreshed and ready to go after a break, even if it's only for a day.
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    A rest day is when you don't push yourself. It doesn't mean you gotta be couch-bound for the day XD.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    As a mom and wife I am not sure I get one of those often...

    I took one Thursday of last week....total rest day (after work, cleaning the house, making dinner) I did not do "normal" exercise.

    I try to take them on the weekends but I am usually at 20k steps at the end of those days...from shopping, groceries, cooking, cleaning, laundry etc...

    When you work full time, have a house to keep care of, kids, husband, garden, lawn, flowers etc..I am not sure if you ever get an acutal rest day...:bigsmile:
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Rest day = Sunday; normal chores, getting ready for the week, but no heavy exercise.
  • smarieallen85
    smarieallen85 Posts: 535 Member
    Rest day = Sunday; normal chores, getting ready for the week, but no heavy exercise.

    Ooh. Sunday is my "do whatever the hell exercise you want" day. It could be lifting heavy, could be circuits at home, could be only cardio, could be everything BUT cardio. And the gym is so quiet. Favorite workout day.
  • purplenurse711
    purplenurse711 Posts: 29 Member
    My rest day would be a leisurely walk at a comfortable pace. 10,000 steps for the day.
  • SomeNights246
    SomeNights246 Posts: 807 Member
    For me, a rest day is a day where the only exercise I do is either walking or light yoga.
  • FireStorm1972
    FireStorm1972 Posts: 1,142 Member
    Stationary bike for me on my rest day
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    No weights. I don't normally do "active rest day" e.g. light cardio, because... I'm lazy and don't feel like doing it. Usually have 3 days off a week, maybe 2 if I want to do extra cardio on Wednesday.
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    Well if you feel good, and don't get cranky because you are tired, like I do when I am exercising a little too much, then why take a day off?
  • 12_oz_Curls
    12_oz_Curls Posts: 140 Member
    I know that rest days are necessary... I just very rarely take one. I feel guilty if I don't at least go for a 2/3 miles walk or something... Is it ok? Or would it really be better just spend one day not doing anything? I typically do a dvd workout 6x a week (PiYo, it's about 30 minutes) and run or walk between 3 and 5 miles on top of that 3/4x a week.

    Simple! my rest day consists of not running 4-6 miles, and laying on the couch catching up on TV shows and drinking beer. That's the whole reason I work so hard the other days of the week!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    My rest days involve me, on the couch, waiting for the world to bestow spirits and sexual favors upon me.

    Like an anglerfish.
  • Psychgrrl
    Psychgrrl Posts: 3,177 Member
    Light cardio. Walking outside or rollerblading. :)
  • CoachChrystalL
    CoachChrystalL Posts: 11 Member

    Simple! my rest day consists of not running 4-6 miles, and laying on the couch catching up on TV shows and drinking beer. That's the whole reason I work so hard the other days of the week!

    This made me laugh. Thank you for this.
  • 2013sk
    2013sk Posts: 1,318 Member
    Rest day - Well for me this means doing NOTHING!!!! Laying on my bed, under the duvet catching up on my favourite programmes.

    NOT going to the gym and worrying about working out - This is a chill out day!

    You should have a rest day - Its very important especially if you are very active. Your body needs rest! The next day you are powered & refreshed for your workouts : )

    Don't feel bad.....
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    Usually a 'rest day' for me just means no heavy lifting or intense exercise. If it's a work day that means I will still be cycling to work, and on the weekend it means I will usually be walking to the shops, cafe, etc.

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