Do I Really Need a Rest Day Each Week?

How you schedule your recovery depends on how hard you're training.

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Shey asks: I'm not a big fan of rest days—I take one when I feel like I need it. Should I be scheduling a rest day into my week or is my philosophy acceptable?

That's a good question. It depends on your goals. I exercise for my general health and I try to exercise most days of the week. Sometimes work, family, and personal conflicts steal a day or two of exercise from me each week. So my rest is not planned, but inserted into my program as my personal schedule demands.



For you individually, taking a rest day when you need it seems to be working. If you are training well, not getting injured, and achieving your performance goals, your plan is probably safe for you. However, if you start to break down, add a designated rest day to your schedule.


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