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Rest days

Alorle Posts: 196 Joined: 2001/10/07	2001/10/19, 10:08 PM So, exactly how important are these rest days? Right now I'm doing five days a week, 3 on, 1 off, 2 on, 1 off. I would rather do 5 in a row. As it is this month, I am very busy doing our Halloween carnival for the PTO, so some days I can't make it to the gym. In those cases, I like to double up my exercises and do two or three days in one. Right now I'm doing a beginning weight training program to lose weight, so I only have 2 or 3 exercises a day anyway, so when I combine days it's more like a full circuit. Any advice?
ThunderMan Posts: 35 Joined: 2001/09/21	2001/10/19, 11:59 PM I think you should whatever you are more comfortable with, however the programs that FT offers to the public are more reliable. Whatever you choose, make sure that when you do rest get as much rest as you can. One more thing, Good Luck!!!
jbennett Posts: 1,558 Joined: 2001/02/28	2001/10/20, 12:04 AM Rest days are EXTREMELY important, especially if you're routine consists of very intense training. I never call 'off' days rest days; I call them recuperation days. Keep your protein intake up, fat intake a bit lower than normal, and carb level moderate to high (depending on your goals) on these days. I, too, lift 5 days a week and I know how taxing it can be on the body.
ken30307 Posts: 51 Joined: 2001/10/16	2001/10/20, 06:36 AM When I first started training...I didn't want to take the rest days either. Thought that the more I went, the more my muscles would grow..but remember, your muslces grow WHEN you are resting. Tear down...build up...tear down..build up...they build when you aren't working out...so the rest is just as important as the workout! Check the research... --Ken
the_w8lifter Posts: 138 Joined: 2001/08/03	2001/10/25, 10:24 AM If you split your body part training appropriately, a working day on chest is a rest day on legs. Also, have working rest days. Do light cardio rather than lifting.
coolness Posts: 338 Joined: 2001/05/23	2001/10/25, 06:48 PM I know that I look forward to the "recuperation" days. First of all It gives my muscles the chance to rebuild and it's nice to sleep in on those days!! My rest days are Thursday and Sunday; I am lifting 5 days also. Sometimes I feel like changing the program to fewer days but I know 5 is right for me. Take your rest days alorle!!:) coolness...
Alorle Posts: 196 Joined: 2001/10/07	2001/10/25, 11:09 PM Thanks guys! It seems my body makes me take mandantory rest days anyway :). It's always worse after I do my chest day, but I can't move! I figure once I get more strength the soreness will be more minimal, but for now, I get to whine :).
coolness Posts: 338 Joined: 2001/05/23	2001/10/26, 09:18 PM My wife just started working out a few days ago and she is getting sore too. She knows it will eventually subside. In the meantime I encourage her. She's not ready to give up either!! Stick with it al. :) coolness...
ThunderMan Posts: 35 Joined: 2001/09/21	2001/10/27, 01:04 AM You really need to rest. Good Luck!!! :)
ryanszcz Posts: 2 Joined: 2005/10/24	2005/10/24, 04:30 PM I just started this program and I am wondering about running on rest days? is that good or bad? I lost about 60lbs by running 4 miles a day. Should I stop running this much if I am gonna do the lifting routine the site tells me?
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2005/10/24, 04:43 PM No need to stop running. It is best to split your cardio(running) and wt training days. For example if you're wt training 3X/week you'd be wize to Wt train say M,W,F and run T,Th,S and then take 1 rest day where you don't run or wt train. Hope this clears things up for you. -------------- Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
ryanszcz Posts: 2 Joined: 2005/10/24	2005/10/25, 09:50 AM thanks, I will give it a try
bb1fit Posts: 11,105 Joined: 2001/06/30	2005/10/25, 11:26 AM fly on the wall gave a great reply. I normally recommend taking 1 day total rest, that is do cardio on your first 2 dsys off between weights, and on your third day off do complete rest. Your body needs this. -------------- If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.... bb1fit@freetrainers.com
Aboodceps Posts: 2 Joined: 2005/12/10	2005/12/20, 05:15 AM I dint kno where to post this question and most likely it has been answered, but Do u loose Mass if you play sports (e.g Basketball not necessarily cardio) on rest days? I work out 3 days a week 1-day on 1-day off, on an intense mass gain low-rep high weight training schedule, but still need to loose fat..pls advise
Aboodceps Posts: 2 Joined: 2005/12/10	2005/12/20, 05:16 AM I dint kno where to post this question and most likely it has been answered, but Do u loose Mass if you play sports (e.g Basketball not necessarily cardio) on rest days? I work out 3 days a week 1-day on 1-day off, on an intense mass gain low-rep high weight training schedule, but still need to loose fat..pls advise
wrestler125 Posts: 4,619 Joined: 2004/01/27	2005/12/20, 12:08 PM I do 3-4 days a week of weight training. This allows me 3-4 days of rest. During these some of these rest days, I will swim or do a moderate "recovery workout". If the activity is moderate, then you should not have to worry about overtraining. If you are only training 3 days a week (not a bad thing) then you should be ok. Don't underestimate the power of a complete day of doing nothing. I always have at least one day a week where I don't play sports, fight, or go to the gym. -------------- Pain is only temporary, it is in your mind. If you can still walk, then you can still run. ============ Quoting from 7707mutt: The squat cage is holy ground. ============
herringwithlemo Posts: 1 Joined: 2007/02/04	2007/02/04, 11:31 PM can i switch around my rest days to fit my schedule?
raiderfanusa Posts: 139 Joined: 2002/06/06	2007/02/05, 03:17 PM I work very hard 5 days a week. Legs on day 1, shoulders on 2, back on 3, chest on 4, and arms on 5, with 6 and 7 rest except perhaps some golf. It works for me to move my rest day to the weekend instead of in the middle of the week. I think if it works for you go with it. Everybody is a little different. -------------- Only two defending forces have ever offered to die for You. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. Both died for your Freedom!
pucca111990 Posts: 2 Joined: 2007/10/22	2007/10/28, 06:44 PM on my rest day, i will still run and then eat breakfast, such as, eat bread with egg and drink a glass of milk. after that i will clean the hourse, because if the hourse is beautiful and clean, i will feel better. then i read or listen to music that i like to listen to relax my mind.
rods Posts: 1 Joined: 2008/10/03	2008/10/03, 05:07 AM Hi guys, I am new to this and will only be starting on Monday. I am looking forward to it. Great website and forum. Thanks to the creators.
gogaurav Posts: 2 Joined: 2008/11/17	2008/11/17, 10:57 AM My first day at this gr8 website! chose to work 5 days a week.. but my fitness program gives me only 3 days of work and then REST!! can i distribute all the workout equaly?? (else wht shud i do on the rest days??)
Gerald-Chandler Posts: 1 Joined: 2003/08/23	2008/12/31, 10:52 AM I am just getting back to working out after 2 years of not doing anything due to getting injured in Iraq. Should I start out as a beginer?:(