However much you work out, it’s absolutely vital that you give your body the right amount of time to recover. Sometimes it can be tempting to push through and work out five or six times a week however by not giving yourself the time you need to recover you’re more likely to do more harm than good. Ideally, your body needs a good one or two days to recover and here’s why.
When you work out, especially with weights, you tear your muscles. It’s this tearing which is what causes the body to work it’s hardest following your workout and what enables your muscles to grow bigger and stronger. After an intense workout your body will work to repair torn muscles but also strengthen them so they can handle the new levels of intensity. To allow your body to do this properly, you need to give it time to recover. By skipping out on rest days your muscles won’t heal properly and as well as stopping them from getting stronger you’ll also put yourself at risk of an injury.
The type of recovery you undertake is just as important as how long you allow your body to recover for. Immediately after a workout, you should make time to stretch out and cool down so your body can gradually return to its normal state and help prevent a buildup of lactic acid. It also maintains proper oxygen circulation so your body can begin the long term recovery process. After a workout, you need to be able to take time away from the gym to let your body recovery. Try to avoid any intense physical activity, and eat good nutrient rich foods so your body gets what it needs.
