Rest Day
The Dreaded Rest Day
Imagine having your workout routine and being in sync with the process of it. You enjoy the pleasures of putting in grunt work while progressing your physique. It’s a new day and you’re ready to take the gym session by storm. You headed over to the bench press to start your warm-up when suddenly it is more difficult than usual. You try and try but the exhaustion has the best of you. This is a sign that it’s time to take a rest day from the gym.
If you’re in the gym 6 days a week, chances are that resting on the 7th day is a nightmare. Caught up in the routine of preparing for the gym and all of a sudden, today is the day that preparation is not happening. It makes you feel like something is off and something is missing. Although it is only one day, it feels like an eternity before you can step foot back into the gym. I know all of this sucks but it’s all for a good cause. Continue to read about the reasons why.
The Anatomy of Rest Days
As most of you may know that when you exercise your muscles to elevate your awesome physique, muscle fibers are ripped. The tiny tears of your muscles are part of the battle for muscle growth. For your muscle fibers to repair in a stronger state, they need time to heal. The healing process takes time, rest, and proper nutrition for your body to be able to take on the new week’s challenge.
Let’s take muscle memory for example. During every workout, muscles are collecting data on how to protect themselves from what is going on outside of the body. If the body is experiencing constant resistance on chest day, your muscles fight the battle until failure. I collect the data of the amount of resistance and repair itself for the next time it meets that same resistance. However, this is where rest days are important. The rest day gives the body time to prepare for the next battle.
How to Take Advantage of a Rest Day
We know that rest days are needed but some utilize rest days to stay away from the gym. Honestly, that is the goal. It is nice to be able to take the extra downtime to get extra rest and catch up on a show or spend that time with family and friends. Regardless of how you spend that extra hour and some change, it is a little nice to lounge a bit. However, if you are in a focused mindset and cannot wait for the next gym session, try preparing for the next battle.
Prepare for The Next Battle
As a kid, I remember the Sunday that concluded my summer break. I was headed back to school to get back into a routine. That evening before the first day of school I wanted to be ready. I’d pack my book bag with all of my school supplies and make sure I understood my class schedule. More importantly, remember laying my clothes out to make sure I was good to go. They say, “If you look good, you feel good” right? Well, the gym is no different.
Coming off a rest day, you want to do the same thing you would do for the first day of school. You want to make sure your meals, supplements (if you use those), and schedule is squared away. Take the time to make sure your headphones are charged as well as your phone. Have a plan on what exercises you desire to conquer, then lay out that awesome outfit that compliments your physique that you have worked so hard for. I mean, when you look good, you lift good, right?
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Conclusion
To wrap this all up, for most gym rats or shall I say, “gym enthusiasts”, it is very difficult to take that much-needed day off from the gym. However, the heart and mind have two separate opinions. Your heart is telling you to do what you love, while your mind is being logical in a sense of taking a break to recover. Importantly, not taking time to heal can result in injury or the potential for something worse. I urge you to prevent risks and simply take a break. Growing up as a teen who got little rest from playing outside, my grandmother would urge me to rest. I did not listen of course. Later on, I would find myself sleeping and not knowing what happened. Her response would always be, “Don’t worry, your body will let you know”. The last case in point, listen to your body! I get you want to push beyond your limits but do it responsibly. So ladies and gentlemen, take those rest days and always remember… Nothing works unless you do. Bless.
