Do y’all take rest days?

I run marathons, but if I run more than 4 times per week, I'm much more likely to develop an injury - so I take a rest day (or at least a RECOVERY day - where I just walk, instead of running) EVERY OTHER DAY!

Yes. At least one day a week

I take one day a week off from intentional workouts -- lifting or cardio that rises my HR above 50% max.

My Saturdays are my day off. They are very active days -- I walk my 3 dogs (which collectively weigh more than I do) a mile or so, then go to the grocery store and run errands. Around 7000 steps that day. But to me, that is an off day and very light compared to the rest of the week.

I take "rest" days on Saturday and Sunday just because with two toddlers it's just too unpredictable whether I can get a workout in. Eventually when our youngest stops acting like Even Knievel reincarnate (or at least learns his limits) maybe I can more reliably squeeze one in on one of those days.
Otherwise, I schedule a rest day on Wed each week because I usually go hard early in the week.

With that said - on the weekends, if I can do even something simple like drag the kids around town behind me on my bike, I will. And on Wed I'm likely to do an active recovery or stretching focused Yoga type of workout just to keep momentum.

OP, do you usually work out when fasted? Was your intake lower than usual yesterday?

Before my resistance training workouts I usually have a light snack like a Dannon Light and Fit yogurt, which is 80 calories and 12g protein. Or you could have a banana. Or if your body is saying, these muscles need a rest, that's fine too, don't beat yourself up about it.

If you're talking about strength workouts, maybe it's time for a deload week.

I lift three days per week, and every 3 months I take a week away from the gym completely. Walking the dog and cleaning the house keep me moving most days, but I don't count those as workouts.

I lift 6 days/week alternating push/pull, so I never do the same lift on back-to-back days and have one day with no lifts. As far as lifting is concerned I think it's fairly accepted that rest is required. For cardio (cycling, running, etc.) I don't believe rest as near as important; personally I can cycle for 1+hrs a day for multiple days with no need for rest.

legblonde355 wrote: »

Tried to do my workout this morning and just couldn’t get the energy to do it. I’m thinking my body needs a rest days. How often do you take rest days?

It sounds as if your body was telling you that you needed rest. I'd say following that cue is smart and reduces your chance of injury. Its nice to come back refreshed after a rest day.

My answer to your question is that it depends on where I am in my training cycle. My workouts are largely cardio based, with 1-2 strength sessions/week supporting the cardio work. I'm typically a high volume exerciser from December through October as I build my base fitness, then ramp up swim, bike and run volume for races.My training is set up in blocks and periodized, so I have lower volume weeks every fourth week or so. My fitness and fatigue is tracked in a software tool, so I have a pretty good idea of how fatigued I am each week. I take full rest days when needed.

I train 6-7 days per week during this time, with Mondays being my active recovery day. I often do an easy 30-60 minute spin on Mondays to help my legs recover from long sessions on the weekends.

During my off season in the fall, I do very little formal training, simply 2 strength sessions per week with a trainer and some social bike rides and easy swims. I enjoy both the physical and mental break from training, then I'm very eager to ramp up again after a 6-8 week break.


TL DR version:

Need for rest days varies based on Training Density. Density describes the frequency, intensity and duration of training during a given period

So I'm physicallyactive in way or another every day unless illness or schedule prevents me. I go to the gym 3 days a week for total body strength/weightlifting with at least a day in between and have reload weeks in my programming. However, even with those there will be days when I just feel like I need to rest. That actually happened this week to me. I was tired and hadn't been sleeping well, so I really just wanted to take a nap instead of go to the gym (which is actually very rare for me). So, I have myself permission to do so even though I wouldn't be able to get to the gym until my next regularly scheduled day. I went back today and was ready to go, even with a tight schedule.

It's important to listen to our bodies, but of course we have to balance that with not getting out of the habit of regular exercise. I found that if I'm compassionate with myself and don't make it a big deal to take an unplanned rest day I'm ready to go the next time.

I workout 5 days per week with two days off.