The Importance of Rest Days

Rest days when training but are often skipped, or put off until you feel physically fatigued.. It’s hard to slow down when you’re feeling good, but they are one of the most important parts of a training plan. Below are some of the reasons rest days are so important.

Muscle recovery:

Physical activity, especially strength training, causes micro-tears in muscle fibers. These fibers need time to repair and rebuild, which is why rest days are necessary for muscle recovery and growth.

Reduced risk of injury:

Overtraining can lead to muscle strain, joint pain, and other types of injury. Taking rest days helps to reduce the risk of injury by allowing the body to recover and rejuvenate.

Improved performance:

Regular rest days can help to improve athletic performance by reducing fatigue and allowing the body to perform at its best when training resumes.

Mental and emotional well-being:

Training can be mentally and emotionally demanding, and rest days can provide a much-needed break from the rigors of exercise. This can help to prevent burnout and promote overall well-being.

As tempting as it is to skip rest days, they really are essential. However, they don’t necessarily require you to do nothing that day. You can still go for a walk or a gentle bike ride, just keep the heart rate low. Whatever you choose to do, remember that it’s about allowing the body to recover from the harder efforts you’ve done that week.

If you need help creating a personalized training plan, contact me! As an endurance coach, I work with athletes of all levels, from beginners to experienced competitors.