Healthy buffs: to win with your rest days (2024)

FAQs

How to maximize muscle growth on rest days? ›

If physical activity is already a part of your long-term emotional health strategy, try building in active rest for your growth days—activities like yoga or a brisk walk will give your muscles time to repair and rebuild without overdoing it.

Taking time off gives your body and mind time to reset, recharge and recover. Your muscles will be less sore and fatigued and, instead of just going through the motions, you'll be able to give your next workout the effort it needs to get results.

Experts recommend 2 to 3 rest days between strength training workouts like lifting weights. So you can plan resistance workouts that target different muscle groups. For example, you might do upper-body exercises on Monday and lower-body exercises on Tuesday.

As you rest, fibroblasts repair the microscopic tears resulting in stronger muscles and increased muscle mass. Without the right training intensity, the muscles won't be challenged adequately to see results, and without rest, the muscle repair needed to see results is inhibited.

The Answer? Rest One or Two Days Per Week. For the best performance and to reach your goals in the safest and most effective way possible, plan for one to two rest days per week. Olenick recommended spacing these out — take one rest day mid-week and the other on the weekend, or in between bigger workouts.

Protein is essential for supporting muscle recovery on rest days. It's important to consume high-quality protein sources on non-workout days to optimize recovery. One high-quality protein source to include on both active and rest days is protein shakes.

Because protein is so important to muscle growth, clients should consume the same amount as on training days. For muscle growth, this equates to one gram of protein for every pound of bodyweight, or 2.2 grams per kg. Foods that supply a higher level of protein include fish, poultry, nuts, and seeds.

In short, yes. Your muscles need protein even on the days you're not spending time in the gym. Your muscles and other tissues are actively recovering on rest days, and recovery can take up to 24-48 hours. Therefore, it's not likely that your protein needs will decrease on rest days.

Skipping a day of exercise won't cause weight gain, but frequently missing workouts may impact your weight management efforts and make it harder to stay motivated. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise and two days of resistance exercises per week.

Exercising When Your Body Is Sore

Overall, you're at risk of causing harm to your body by not resting. For those trying to get in shape or lose weight through exercise, there's no need to worry. If you're experiencing muscle soreness, you may need only two or three days of rest.

Should I eat less on rest days? ›

Take in fewer carbs and calories on rest days to compensate for the lack of exercise. If you're a casual gym goer, choose the second option. Many athletes load up on carbs and eat more calories on off training days to have increased energy for their next workouts. The choice is up to you.

Taking some downtime between exercise sessions is essential for building strength and preventing injury. Experts recommend taking at least one day off from your daily workout routine each week. Taking a rest day after a particularly long or intense workout can be especially helpful.

As far as scheduling active rest days, aim for one at least every three to five days. Remember, during tough workouts, your muscle fibers contract and stretch repeatedly, which causes micro tears in your muscle tissue.

Generally speaking, everyone should take at least one rest day a week, says Ellis. But, as with anything in fitness, it depends on your individual training program.