How often do you have a rest day?

SkiMummy
SkiMummy Posts: 33 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been doing almost daily exercise for a month now, and it has become quite a strong habit.
Obviously I am thrilled about this, but I was mentioning to my DH how much my legs hurt right now, and he pointed out that I never take a day off.
And this got me thinking - how often should I take a day off from 'proper' exercise.
I am trying to move more on a daily basis anyway, but I am talking about time off from a specific workout?
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Replies

  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    I've learned to listen to my body. I used to take one day off a week, however, now I'm finding that I can go 9 days of exercising before I need a rest day.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I try to set aside one day a week where I do no purposeful exercise. I may not necessarily sit on my butt all day (but I have, especially if it is a cold rainy day perfect for a book, a blanket, and pot of tea) but any activity is casual fun stuff, not workout stuff.
  • rrcoffey
    rrcoffey Posts: 72 Member
    I take 2 rest days. I still get some activity in on those days (talking a walk, playing basketball with my kids, etc...), but not a dedicated exercise session.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    What kind of workouts are you doing? It makes a difference. For running I rarely take a day off but I do run one day a week really easy and short (3 mi with my heart rate below 120) and another day a week shorter and easier than normal (2 x 3 mi runs). If I begin feeling really under recovered I will take a complete day off from running, so far about one day a month.
  • shetripsalot
    shetripsalot Posts: 34 Member
    When I started taking 2-3 rest days, I started performing better & seeing better results.
  • boxfish100
    boxfish100 Posts: 172 Member
    Really depends on intensity, whether you are doing strength or endurance type work and of course age as well - I notice that in my 20s and 30s I didn't need as much recovery time as I do in my 40s.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I don't have any scheduled rest days. I just take them as needed or when life gets in the way. Usually it's been 1-2 days a week off. But sometimes I've worked out 10 days straight.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    I take at least one day off per week, sometimes two. Right now, I'm resting on Fridays and running Sat-Thurs, but I get a 36 hour break between morning Wed runs and evening Thurs runs (I run with a group on Thursdays), so it's sort of like adding in a 2nd rest day because I go more than 24 hours without running. Rest is as important as workouts -- gotta let your body recover!
  • demoiselle2014
    demoiselle2014 Posts: 474 Member
    Rest is important, but rest days don't have to be completely sedentary. When I made my exercise calendar I gave myself Wednesdays off. On Wednesday, I will go for a walk and do some gentle yoga. If I have dance class, I'll attend that, too. But no running or weight training.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    I normally have one rest day a week. Some weeks it's two, occasionally even three.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    I don't schedule them. I take them as needed. I've got some sort of ick going on inside of me so I didn't run Tuesday or today. there would have been a trail of barf. but I still made sure that I got out and walked a mile.
    yesterday, I only did an hour of yoga instead of 2.
    but otherwise, no rest days. my being fat does not take a day off so I won't either
  • kellyship17
    kellyship17 Posts: 112 Member
    I aim for once week. Sometimes life gets in the way and it's twice a week. I do listen to my body, so if it needs a rest day (like it sure does today!) I give it one.
  • professionalHobbyist
    professionalHobbyist Posts: 1,316 Member
    Normally one a week.

    When I do more HIIT, twice a week.

  • martyqueen52
    martyqueen52 Posts: 1,120 Member
    I rest on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday.

    Then again I power-lift. So my body gets beat to hell, hence why I take more breaks.
  • DeterminedFee201426
    DeterminedFee201426 Posts: 859 Member
    2 days of the week
  • Neversettle78
    Neversettle78 Posts: 208 Member
    I take 1-2 per week. When you train hard they are essential! Please incorporate some into your routine.
  • 3AAnn3
    3AAnn3 Posts: 3,055 Member
    I take one a week.
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,325 Member
    1-2 days per week.
  • pmm3437
    pmm3437 Posts: 529 Member
    As others have said, depends on type(s) and intensity of workouts.

    Best advice I can give is that after you have been training a while, and your body has adapted to regular exercise, you shouldn't be showing up for your next workout with significant aches/pains or lack of energy. If you are, you need to rest/recover more.
  • rumijs
    rumijs Posts: 218 Member
    I guess it depends on what you define as "rest" and the reason for resting. Technically I don't take any days off from exercising. I strength train 3 days a week, do HIIT 3 times a week, and have a "slower" active rest day with yoga, 3 mile run (below race pace), or something similar. I do listen to my body. If I absolutely need a day off because of tweaked muscles or something, then I'll take a full rest day. But that's actually pretty few and far between because I watch form and intensity throughout the week.

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