WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS FACTOR IN REST DAYS

IT’S tough when we are working towards a fitness goal to consider the need for a rest day. For many, this seems counterintuitive, but I am here to tell you that a rest day might in fact be your best “training session” of the week – here’s why.

REST ALLOWS CHANGE TO HAPPEN

The often overlooked sibling of physical training is the role rest plays in achieving your goals. Whenever we work out, we actually cause damage to our body. It is this damage that powers ongoing adaptation, as the body recognises the damage as “weakness” and it repairs the structure stronger than it was. Adequate levels of rest allow our muscles to repair themselves stronger than before, thus improving your strength.

REST REDUCES THE RISK OF INJURY

Incorporating strategic rest periods into your week can help reduce inflammation and encourage recovery, meaning you’ll be back hitting the pavement or the weight room in no time, instead of hitting the physio table.

DOWN TIME CAN HELP PREVENT BURNOUT

Physical burnout is often referred to as overtraining, and occurs when the body is not afforded enough rest when continual training stimulus is applied. It causes the body to continue to break down until severe fatigue, injury or illness results. Mental burnout is similar to physical, however, the individual suffers from a psychological drop where motivation, drive, and enthusiasm are all negatively impacted. In either case, regular rest days within your program will provide your body and mind with the respite it craves so burnout never becomes a problem.

REDUCE THE RISK OF ILLNESS

Regular physical activity can prevent illness, but too much can increase your risk of getting sick. Dispersing activity with strategic rest days is a sure fire way to keep your immune system high so that you can keep crushing your goals.

Brodie Hicks is the general manager of training at the Australian Institute of Fitness