It is important to take a break from your workout as real muscle growth takes place outside the gym. People often underestimate the effect of rest and recovery and are often disappointed when they don’t see the expected results. These terms may be used synonymously but rest & recovery both should be a part of your fit lifestyle.
Here is what you should know about it.
How resting and recovering differ
Rest day refers to inactivity and people don’t exercise on their rest day. Some may, however, perform light exercises like walking but do not indulge in heavy exercises. No workouts are planned for rest days and training days are set accordingly.
Recovery periods include stretching and foam rolling and that is done to give relief to the muscles after periods of heavy workouts. Recovery exercises help in treating sore muscles and even improve blood circulation in areas where it is being compromised.
How often should you rest?
It depends on the level of your training and how often do you like to train. Rest days can be decided according to an individual’s comfort level but make sure to give your body at least one day off in a week. If you still want to stay active on your rest day, you can walk and complete your steps for the day.
How often should you perform recovery exercises?
If you feel sore after your workout, you can perform recovery exercises and even take a break. If you are facing trouble due to soreness, you can increase the frequency of your recovery sessions.
It is important to give your body some rest as it will help in avoiding serious injuries and will also ensure that exercises you perform remain effective.