How many days a week to exercise?

Nothing wrong with taking a rest day especially in the beginning. I am old school (more experienced) and prefer to workout through pain if I had to. To each his own.

Depends on you. If you push through the pain, will you end up so miserable that you end up taking a whole week off and have a hard time starting again? Or would you be better off taking two days rest between workouts for a week or two to help get used to it? I'd prefer route 2 for myself but if you know yourself enough to know at what level you'll be burnt out then go for the workout. Just a few weeks ago, I'd set out to do strength training 3 days a week, but got so sore my first workout that I only managed two that week, about 4 days apart. But then now two weeks later I'm doing it every other day with no problems, no excess soreness. But that first one was so bad I could barely walk and I know myself, knew not to push through but to rest so I could go at it again with all my energy.

I also alternate, I do a cardio type workout on MWF then pick a weekend day (maybe lol) which can be as simple as a walk or more work like my M5 elliptical type thing. Strength routine on T/Th/pick a weekend day, and I also do pilates on those days if work allows. I figure different bits get rest on different days. I'm not perfect, but I've gotten at least 4 total workouts a week for the past 3 weeks!

I only take full rest days when my legs get extremely sore for going up the stairs. Otherwise, I still aim for a 2 miles walk at least.

that depends on if you are "sore" or "hurt"

If sore yes work through it and you will find you are not as sore the next day.

I work out a lot....anything from lifting to running to walking to biking to swimming to sports etc....

I take active rest days...so on Sunday I worked in the flower beds a lot and instead of my normal 3-5mile cardio I went for a 2 mile walk...

When I am sore from lifting ie 1st and 2nd day after deadlift day which I still do my bench press and squats...working out through the soreness often results in feeling "much better"

kshama2001 wrote: »

"Working out" to me means lifting weights, which should not be done on consecutive days. Other types of workouts can be done every day. I do something every day. Right now I am mostly gardening, but I try to get in some walking, yoga, and weight lifting, and this time next month I will be swimming, woo hoo!

not so much...

Working out is (per cambridge dictionary) "to exercise in order to improve the strength or appearance of your body

and you can lift 2 or 3 or even 4 days in a row (I lift 4 days in a row) you just shouldn't work the same muscle groups on consecutive days.

Day 2 a little sore? Is it too sore to keep going with another workout? Only you can decide that. I have had DOMS so bad that I had no choice but to stop for 3 days..

You can moderately return to exercise again, like just walk, or deload the next workout or even workout another body part.

I lift every other day (muscles need rest and fuel to grow...) and sometimes I cardio on a rest day. Arms I train often. I train legs after a upper body day only once a week (and I train legs to excessive failure.).

Cardio is overrated... At least for my specific goals right now.

Being sore is okay... But there is a perfect point to hit muscles again. It's shortly after your muscle recooperates and is overcompensating. Thats the best time to really smash up the muscle because it leads to gains.

Make sure you rest your muscles! Everyone get's over excited when starting a new workout plan. Focus on your goals and results. 3 months of continous focused training is better than trying to conquer the gym in a week.

Slow & Steady