When Is It A Good Time To Skip A Workout?
Yes, there is a good time to skip a workout. Listen to your body. Always. Rest doesn’t equal being lazy, it’s needed for your body to recover and rejuvenate. Skipping a workout can actually help to enhance your performance.
Pushing boundaries and challenging yourself are great, but sometimes you need to take it easy, too.
It’s okay to prioritise rest and recovery as it’s also an important aspect of an exercise program because it allows your body time to repair and strengthen itself in between workouts. It’s important to rejuvenate yourself physically and emotionally to ensure you stay on top of your workout game.
Here are 4 reasons why it’s actually good to skip a workout (sometimes):
#1 Rest is essential for muscle growth
Exercise creates microscopic tears in your muscle tissue. During an active rest day, and when you skip a workout session, cells called fibroblasts help to repair it. Rest is vital for muscle growth to take place.
During exercise, your body is also breaking down glycogen to keep you going while working out. When you rest and recover, it gives your body time to replenish these energy stores before your next workout. Now, you can get amped for your next workout!
#2 Rest can improve performance
It allows your body to adapt to your work and enhance your workout performance. Even if you push yourself, overtraining decreases your performance. You may experience reduced endurance, slow reaction times, and poor agility.
When in recovery, it allows your body to reset. It will prepare your body for effective workouts. Reach your Personal Best by prioritising rest 😉.
#3 Reduces fatigue and workout slump
Don't feel like working out? Tired? Bored? Being tired all the time might be a sign to put your workouts on hold.
Rest and recovery assist in the restocking of glycogen stores (the fuel for your workouts), builds strength, and reduce fatigue. Even if you push yourself, overtraining decreases your performance. You may experience reduced endurance, slow reaction times, and poor agility.
#4 Illness or injury
When you’re feeling sick or have an injury, it’s highly recommended that you skip your workout. Exercising without the “go-ahead” from your physician is looking for trouble. If you feel sick or have an injury – pause. This is a good reason to skip a workout session.
When you take an active rest and recovery day, focus on the following:
- Make sure you still drink enough water.
- The carbs will help you to restore your glycogen levels. During exercise your muscles use this glycogen as their primary form of energy.
- Protein-intake. Adding enough protein to your diet will ensure your body gets the material it needs to help with recovery and maximise muscle growth.
- According to Healthline, research has found creatine may help athletes recover from intense training by helping reduce muscle damage and inflammation, as well as aiding in replenishing your muscles’ glycogen stores. To shop the best creatine supplements, click here.
- Really allow your body to recover. Be mindful about how you spend your day, and know that it’s important to prioritise rest and recovery!
Skipping a workout may be what your body needs. Listen to your body. Ensure that your body gets what it needs.
These 4 reasons mentioned above are enough evidence to show you why it’s really okay to take time to rest and recover and NOT feel guilty about it.
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