
The benefits of a day off
July 25, 2013
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British Military Fitness instructor, Graeme Thirde, explains why a day off is necessary to improve your fitness.
You may think the best way to improve your fitness and see results quickly is exercising every day of the week, with us at a British Military Fitness. However, whether you’re a top-of-the-class green bib or a beginner blue bib, you will not improve unless you give your body adequate rest.
Your body repairs and strengthens itself during periods of rest. Therefore, if you don’t take sufficient rest days your body will not have time to recover and improve. This will mean you will ‘plateau’ with your fitness level and results, no matter how much exercise you do. Time off allows your muscles to replenish the energy supplies that are used during exercise.
There is also the potential for injury, and a dip in performance if you don’t take a day off or even ‘over-training syndrome’, which can cause lethargy, loss of performance, insomnia, reduced appetite and mood swings.
Don’t feel guilty about taking a rest day. It’s not the actual exercise that builds muscle; it’s the reparation on your days off that rebuild your body back stronger than before.
Give yourself one day off per three days of exercise (a day off means a day off – no cycling to work or a quick dip in the pool). If you are having withdrawal symptoms then do some yoga or a pilates session, or even take a slow walk, followed by some stretches. This can aid your recovery.
Generally, your body will tell you if you’re pushing too hard – so listen to it.
Feel free to chat to any instructor at your local park. We’re here to help.