How Important is a Rest Day?
getfitdiva
Posts: 1,148 Member
The reason I'm asking this is because I haven't taken 1 day off in the past 3 weeks because I'm to that point where I just want to reach my goal. I have worked out 7 days a week only because I can't imagine not exercising right now. I feel like I lose precious calorie burning time if I take a day off. Many people have said you need to rest your body or recover. If I feel like my body is tired or need a rest day I just do a lower impact workout. Is that so bad?
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Replies
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uhh... rest days are pretty important. you need time to let your muscles repair and ease up on your skeletal system. your cardiovascular system may be able to take it but not everything else can. i mean, sure, still walk around or whatnot, but if you're running 5 miles a day every single day or something... then i'd say you may be overdoing it.
i know this because i did that too, where i was exercising every day... and now my knees are screwed up.
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You can still exercise, just go at a lighter intensity. Ride the bike or walk.... No high intensity workouts on your "rest" days. They are very important for your body to recover and repair itself from the intense workouts.0
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I think rest days is only for resistance training. Are you doing weight lifting? Otherwise I don't think it's needed.0
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I would think you're putting yourself in danger of burning out. You want to reach your goal, but then what are you going to do once you get there? Idealy you'll maintain it for the rest of your life, but that's difficult to do if you're racing to get to your goal. I view working out like crazy along the same lines as crash diets.....you'll eventually burn yourself out and hate to exercise and stop altogether (in my experience anyway).
Slow and steady wins the race.....also, your body and muscles need time to repair and rest, so even if you don't feel tired, your muscles could use at least one rest day. If you really feel the need to exercise each day, go for a nice leisurely walk on that 7th day.0 -
A rest day doesn't necessarily mean you sit still...just take it easy or do something that is a bit less intense. Walk or go for an easy bike ride instead of your normal routine. I try to take @ least one cardio break a week: makes my runs so MUCH better if I do...especially my long run.0
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I think rest days is only for resistance training. Are you doing weight lifting? Otherwise I don't think it's needed.
I use weights with circuit training like Jillian Michael's 30-day shred and recently Jillian Michael's Shredding It with weights (Kettle Bell). Nothing that is solely weight lifting.0 -
I do something every day, but some days are significantly easier than others. A big day is maybe 700 calories burned. A light day is maybe 150-200. My body feels better after I exercise. I'm stiff and achy until I do.0
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You can still exercise, just go at a lighter intensity. Ride the bike or walk.... No high intensity workouts on your "rest" days. They are very important for your body to recover and repair itself from the intense workouts.
I have been attempting to just go on the stationary bike or walk but I have in the back of my mind that I really want a calorie burn, so I would go for over an hour.0 -
if you are doing any endurance training, it is imperative that you have at least one rest day - preferably after a long workout - like your long run for the week. If you talk to any running coach or endurance coach, they will tell you that the rest day is actually when you make the most advances in your endurance and muscles. By having a rest day and allowing your muscles to re-coop, you will also reduce your chances of injury significantly. Any training plan endorsed by USAT, has at least one rest day a week - sometimes two when you are building a base.
On my rest day, I eat the amount of calories that I would need to maintain the weight I'm at now. Giving my body a few extra calories while it heals from the work outs. Sometimes if I'm restless, I will go for a walk, but at a light rate.0 -
Everyone provided some excellent suggestions - I will work in a modified "rest/recovery" day in my workout. I have an addictive/obsessive nature when I really want to reach a goal. Have to fight that off.0
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if you are doing any endurance training, it is imperative that you have at least one rest day - preferably after a long workout - like your long run for the week. If you talk to any running coach or endurance coach, they will tell you that the rest day is actually when you make the most advances in your endurance and muscles. By having a rest day and allowing your muscles to re-coop, you will also reduce your chances of injury significantly. Any training plan endorsed by USAT, has at least one rest day a week - sometimes two when you are building a base.
On my rest day, I eat the amount of calories that I would need to maintain the weight I'm at now. Giving my body a few extra calories while it heals from the work outs. Sometimes if I'm restless, I will go for a walk, but at a light rate.
I tend to take one week of interval running and another week of endurance (steady paced run) to switch it up.0 -
if you are doing any endurance training, it is imperative that you have at least one rest day - preferably after a long workout - like your long run for the week. If you talk to any running coach or endurance coach, they will tell you that the rest day is actually when you make the most advances in your endurance and muscles. By having a rest day and allowing your muscles to re-coop, you will also reduce your chances of injury significantly. Any training plan endorsed by USAT, has at least one rest day a week - sometimes two when you are building a base.
On my rest day, I eat the amount of calories that I would need to maintain the weight I'm at now. Giving my body a few extra calories while it heals from the work outs. Sometimes if I'm restless, I will go for a walk, but at a light rate.
I tend to take one week of interval running and another week of endurance (steady paced run) to switch it up.
I fight taking a rest day.....you know what try one for a couple of weeks ---- I think you will be amazed at home much faster you improve with a rest day on those legs
my endurance went crazy when I started taking a rest day. I normally go for a "stroll" just so I don't feel stiff though 0 -
if you are doing any endurance training, it is imperative that you have at least one rest day - preferably after a long workout - like your long run for the week. If you talk to any running coach or endurance coach, they will tell you that the rest day is actually when you make the most advances in your endurance and muscles. By having a rest day and allowing your muscles to re-coop, you will also reduce your chances of injury significantly. Any training plan endorsed by USAT, has at least one rest day a week - sometimes two when you are building a base.
On my rest day, I eat the amount of calories that I would need to maintain the weight I'm at now. Giving my body a few extra calories while it heals from the work outs. Sometimes if I'm restless, I will go for a walk, but at a light rate.
I tend to take one week of interval running and another week of endurance (steady paced run) to switch it up.
I fight taking a rest day.....you know what try one for a couple of weeks ---- I think you will be amazed at home much faster you improve with a rest day on those legs my endurance went crazy when I started taking a rest day. I normally go for a "stroll" just so I don't feel stiff though
I will see THIS WEEK! . I'm sore in different places every day but I thought that was a good thing. 0 -
if you are doing any endurance training, it is imperative that you have at least one rest day - preferably after a long workout - like your long run for the week. If you talk to any running coach or endurance coach, they will tell you that the rest day is actually when you make the most advances in your endurance and muscles. By having a rest day and allowing your muscles to re-coop, you will also reduce your chances of injury significantly. Any training plan endorsed by USAT, has at least one rest day a week - sometimes two when you are building a base.
On my rest day, I eat the amount of calories that I would need to maintain the weight I'm at now. Giving my body a few extra calories while it heals from the work outs. Sometimes if I'm restless, I will go for a walk, but at a light rate.
I tend to take one week of interval running and another week of endurance (steady paced run) to switch it up.
I fight taking a rest day.....you know what try one for a couple of weeks ---- I think you will be amazed at home much faster you improve with a rest day on those legs my endurance went crazy when I started taking a rest day. I normally go for a "stroll" just so I don't feel stiff though
I will see THIS WEEK! . I'm sore in different places every day but I thought that was a good thing.
It is Hey - do some research on the internet on rest days ...... be obsessive about letting your muscles rest and repair ---- your next long run after a rest day is fabulous 0 -
If you are concerned about burning calories on your rest day then try a low impact Yoga session. : )0
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I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.0 -
really the best thing is too listen to your body.
it will tell you when enough is enough.
Depending on whether i feel mentally fatiqued, or physically will decide what i do.
If im mentally fatiqued, i'll take a rest day, but on that day, i'll do a CNS activation workout. Its not really a workout per se...more just wakes me up.
If im am physically fatigued, then i'll take a break from anything strenuous, but still train. Eg: I deload on the weights. I'll still go through the motions, but at a much reduced intensity. I find this helps with recovery after a big workout also...can cut atleast a day from recovery from squats for example.0 -
I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.
I am exactly the same way. I am now up to 373 of running every single day for the calorie burn and exercise. I have never felt better. Yes, my muscles get sore, but ususally only after my weight classes once a week on top of the running. If I didnt have a cardio work out every day, I would never be able to stay under my calorie goal. I need the burn daily!0 -
I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.
I am exactly the same way. I am now up to 373 of running every single day for the calorie burn and exercise. I have never felt better. Yes, my muscles get sore, but ususally only after my weight classes once a week on top of the running. If I didnt have a cardio work out every day, I would never be able to stay under my calorie goal. I need the burn daily!
Oops- I meant to say 373 days straight of running for me and still going!0 -
I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.
I am exactly the same way. I am now up to 373 of running every single day for the calorie burn and exercise. I have never felt better. Yes, my muscles get sore, but ususally only after my weight classes once a week on top of the running. If I didnt have a cardio work out every day, I would never be able to stay under my calorie goal. I need the burn daily!
Oops- I meant to say 373 days straight of running for me and still going!
HOLY! NICE!! I can't make myself run more than 3 days a week! That is super awesome.
I have pretty much accepted constant body soreness as a part of life... haha0 -
I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.
I am exactly the same way. I am now up to 373 of running every single day for the calorie burn and exercise. I have never felt better. Yes, my muscles get sore, but ususally only after my weight classes once a week on top of the running. If I didnt have a cardio work out every day, I would never be able to stay under my calorie goal. I need the burn daily!
I feel the same! I would never be able to eat dinner if I didn't slip in a workout - although I am working on healthier choices I still have to eat!
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I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.
I am exactly the same way. I am now up to 373 of running every single day for the calorie burn and exercise. I have never felt better. Yes, my muscles get sore, but ususally only after my weight classes once a week on top of the running. If I didnt have a cardio work out every day, I would never be able to stay under my calorie goal. I need the burn daily!
Oops- I meant to say 373 days straight of running for me and still going!
HOLY! NICE!! I can't make myself run more than 3 days a week! That is super awesome.
I have pretty much accepted constant body soreness as a part of life... haha
Me too! Body soreness just comes with the territory. But it never hurts during the workouts so to me that means keep going! 0 -
I never take a rest day... and if I were to try, I have absolutely no idea how I would stay under my calorie count.
My thoughts are exactly like yours - if I'm going to workout, then I need to do a max burn, or else what's the point? Or if I'm not going to workout, what waste of a day.
I am exactly the same way. I am now up to 373 of running every single day for the calorie burn and exercise. I have never felt better. Yes, my muscles get sore, but ususally only after my weight classes once a week on top of the running. If I didnt have a cardio work out every day, I would never be able to stay under my calorie goal. I need the burn daily!
Oops- I meant to say 373 days straight of running for me and still going!
HOLY! NICE!! I can't make myself run more than 3 days a week! That is super awesome.
I have pretty much accepted constant body soreness as a part of life... haha
I am honestly sore every single day since I didn't allow any "rest" days. I thought that would help with not hitting a plateau because I'm always surprising my body. Now I'm confused LOL.0 -
I would think you're putting yourself in danger of burning out.
When that reply was posted the OP never outlined in detail what she was actually doing!! Let's not make these sweeping generalisations about "burn out".
If you're lifting hard you will need rest days.
If you're endurance running you will need rest days.
If you play on a Wii fit you won't need rest days.
If you do 10-minute workouts you won't need rest days.
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Agreed.
If you are doing arms today, don't do arms again tomorrow. ..
HIIT training today at a 10 intensity? Do a sustainable cardio pace tomorrow...
Big run today? Lift tomorrow..
Pretty simple I'd say. Just listen to your body, it knows what parts need a rest and what don't -- but "needing rest" is not the same as feeling tired or lazy or unmotivated. Too many people use the idea that they "should" take a rest day as an excuse when they don't really need one. I say, push on through, just don't injure yourself (and if you do, just work out a different body part tomorrow.) 0 -
i have to quote a friend that's on this site (lotus f1ower) when someone else asked the same question. her response tickled me
she said she doesn't mean to get all biblical on people but even God rested on the 7th day.
everyone needs (or should i say benefits from) rest. period. your body needs rest. i know i went for a good month if not more with NOOOOO rest. that's crazy talk now. i take a break and my body thanks me later.0
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