Working out everyday?

Hi all,

I just started working out again, I haven't had a day off since Thursday. People tell me that I should rest every few days. Should I take a break today? And why is it also good to take days off? I realize my body is sore and needs rest, but would 30 mins of cardio really be a bad idea? Anyone also have ideas on how to get Britney's body lol I really want to have her stomach!

Thanks!! :)

It all depends on you. Some people advocate resting every few days or once a week lets say so that your muscles can recover. If you're tried and need rest, then rest, but if you can work out, then work out. For me personally, I haven't taken a day off in over 2 years. I frankly just love the feeling late in the day of knowing that despite being tired, I've worked out, and therefore I can also have a little extra something at dinner perhaps.

Yes, it is important to take rest, at least one day per week. Your body gets fitter and stronger, not when you work out, but when you recover.   Rest doesn't need to mean couch-potato sedentary. You can walk, bike, or do other light exercise - just not lifting heavy weights, sprinting, and other intense workouts. On a rest day I'm likely to go  bike 30+ minutes for commuting and errands, and/or go for a walk.

Original Post by thejabronisayz:

It all depends on you. Some people advocate resting every few days or once a week lets say so that your muscles can recover. If you're tried and need rest, then rest, but if you can work out, then work out. For me personally, I haven't taken a day off in over 2 years. I frankly just love the feeling late in the day of knowing that despite being tired, I've worked out, and therefore I can also have a little extra something at dinner perhaps.

yea- i agree. if you feel you dont need to take a day off and want to do cardio then do it. just listen to your body .. if you arent feeling as well and still want to work out, then do a modified and less intense version of your workout. But do remember it is OKAY and can be good for you to take a day off entirely.

The reason for taking a day of rest is that when you work out muscles, they actually tear and then repair themselves tighter and stronger.  If  they are in a constant state of being torn it doesn't allow your body the time it needs to repair itself.  Given that, it is fine if you plan on working completely different muscles.

I love exercising and don't really take many days off. I do mix up the exercise so I am using different muscles day after day, and I listen to a trainer at my gym- she says if I am very sore after a workout (usually a strength training session), then it is better to do light cardio (walking, jogging, etc) then to do nothing the next day. But definitely take a rest from whatever it was that made you sore!

My late ex-father-in-law was a big time body builder. He told me that every time you work a set of muscles you should take a day off (from that set of muscles)because when you work them, you're tearing them down. The day off lets them build back up. So do different exercises targeting different muscles on different days-say working biceps, abs, etc., one day, then doing something for gluts, whatever the next day. The heavier the weight the  more you'll build. The lighter the weight, and more reps,the more you'll tone.

I usually work out 7 days a week.  I'll take a day off now and then, but I only do weights every other day.  I'm mostly working on toning my arms and strengthening my back.  I do specific floor exercises to strenghten my abs, lats and lower back.  Some exercises I learned in physical therapy to strengthen my back, and now I don't have any back pain.

The best "cure" or prevention for after work out pain is a good massage. Always massaging towards the heart gets the lactic acid out of the worked muscle.

"The lighter the weight, and more reps,the more you'll tone."

^ Not true, "toning" has nothing to do with working out persay..  All toning is, is getting rid of the layer of fat ontop of the muscle.  Same reason you can do 1000 crunches a day and youl never see any abs unless you lower your body fat%

I workout everyday...I just work different muscle groups...so the other ones get a rest....

i would recommend a rest day, depending on how vigorous your exercises are.  if you wake up sore after work outs, throw a rest day in at least once a week so your muscles can recover.

im currently training for a marathon, and my training demands a rest day

"Rest is a very important part of any training program. Without proper rest, your muscles and connective tissues will not have an opportunity to recover and strengthen properly. On the days calling for complete rest, do no strenuous activity. On the days calling for rest or cross training, you can rest totally or do some cross training. Cross training can be any activity other than running. You could go for a walk, swim, bicycle or do nothing. It is up to you. If you are feeling fatigued or sluggish, you should rest completely."

I was at my fittest when I worked out for 1.5 hours, 6 days a week.

When working out you make little tears in your muscles. You should give your body a day to relax and repair so you can continue building up your muscles.