Did you know that sometimes the best way to improve your health and accelerate your fitness journey is by taking a day off to relax and NOT work out?
You know the saying - A couch potato day keeps the doctor away!
The main reason this is important is because although intense workouts are great for improving your fitness, your strength and endurance are actually built during periods of recovery.
That’s why you should take this next sunday to relax, recuperate, and kick back on the couch instead of going to the gym. Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of rest days in your fitness routine.
BUILD STRENGTH
Every time you put in a hard workout at the gym, your muscles actually develop tiny tears as they work to lift weights, do push ups, etc. This process actually is a good thing - the recovery process allows your muscles to grow bigger and stronger as they heal - but the recuperation period is critical, and it’s important not to push yourself too hard during the healing phase.
AVOID MUSCLE FATIGUE
As you exercise, the muscles you work become depleted of glycogen, a carbohydrate that is used by the body for energy storage. When you fail to allow sufficient recovery time between workouts, your muscles can become weak with fatigue as they eliminate all of their energy stores. Rest days help your muscles renew their energy source.
PREVENT INJURIES
Debatably the most important reason to integrate rest into your fitness routine is that without it, the risk of injuring yourself becomes much greater. When you overwork your muscles, they become unable to perform at their optimum strength level. This leads to decreased performance which in turn increases the likelihood of injury significantly. By taking a day off, you’ll protect your muscles and avoid strain so that when you do hit the gym again, you can give it 100%.
As you can see, taking a day off from time to time is crucial for your fitness and wellbeing. Take this as your sign to kick back, relax, and chill out for the day.
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So, hit the couch, browse our top sellers for your next piece of recovery-friendly gear, and enjoy your day off!
