It can often be hard to take days of at the gym, with the constant need for reaching results. We also suggest it is as important to ensure that rest days occur throughout your program. By including these you will be able to reach your optimal performance. The following benefits of taking a rest day include:
It helps the body to recover
To begin with, rest days allow the body to recover, you will be reducing the risk of injury. Allowing you to reach the potential performance which you would like to achieve. It also allow you to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. Allowing you to have good sleeping patterns and maintaining your immune system health[1]. An indication of the importance of sleep is that, if you do not have enough REM sleep, which helps with the development of the growth hormone. Then the ability to grow the muscles may take more time because the essential sleep isn’t allowed to happen[2].
Keeps you motivated
By including rest days, it is more likely that you will be more interested in going to gym and therefore more willing to train at a higher standard. It will create anticipation for you and allow you come into the gym with motivation [3]. It will also allow you to set yourself to strive towards the goals which you have set, and not fall out of love with the training that you have set yourself. This also allows to ensure it makes the workouts count [4].
Prevents Injuries
Furthermore, if you over-train, it is more likely this will lead to significant problems to how effective your goals are. By having the rest day, it will enable your muscles to repair the tissues which have been affected[5]. Allowing oxygen and nutrients to take time to repair the damaged tissue[6].
Mental Recovery
Finally, though it is seen as important to go for runs, as it seen as a stress relief, we also suggest to that your brain needs time to relax. Over training can lead to further problems and in turn can increase your stress levels[7]. Therefore it is important to make sure to wind down during your schedule and ensure to take time for yourself.
Make sure to check out what our personal trainers can offer you at your local Simply Gym. They can offer a number of benefits including a training program. Check them out and what they can offer you in their description.
Simply Gym offers a vast amount of equipment and classes, from just £16.99. All classes are included in the membership, at no extra cost and no limit to the number of classes per week. We also offer a large cardio and weights area. Separate indoor cycling and aerobic studio. Free parking. Changing facilities and much much more!
Reference
[1] Rosenbrock, K., 2015. Why rest days are just as important as working out. Retrieved from https://www.theactivetimes.com/why-rest-days-are-just-important-working-out
[2] Rosenbrock, K., 2015. Why rest days are just as important as working out. Retrieved from https://www.theactivetimes.com/why-rest-days-are-just-important-working-out
[3] Davidson, A., 2018. 5 Reasons why should never skip rest day. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/workouts/a708635/why-rest-day-is-important/
[4] Davidson, A., 2018. 5 Reasons why should never skip rest day. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/workouts/a708635/why-rest-day-is-important/
[5] Mcall, P., 2018. 8 Reasons to take a rest day. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/7176/8-reasons-to-take-a-rest-day
[6] Mcall, P., 2018. 8 Reasons to take a rest day. Retrieved from https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/7176/8-reasons-to-take-a-rest-day
[7] Spiker, T., 2017. 4 Reasons why rest days are important. Retrieved from https://www.health24.com/Fitness/Exercise/Exercise-and-health/4-reasons-why-rest-days-are-important-20171206
