When is it a good time to skip a workout?

Exercising is good for your overall health and well-being, but sometimes it's best to pack away your running shoes and take a rest day. But when is it a good time to skip a workout?

You will look forward to your workouts

When you have scheduled rest days you will find your workouts more enjoyable and effective! It will help improve your mental morale, eg. looking forward to the weekend/recovering from the week. Skipping a workout can often be beneficial if your workouts have been incredibly taxing and intense recently.

It is necessary for your physical health

A successful training routine includes rest days as your body needs to have the time to heal as you have worked muscles and joints. It will also prevent burnout and fatigue which can help you overcome a plateau you may have reached.  

Overly stressed

When you have a busy schedule, and it feels like your plate is overloaded - it may be a sign that a rest day is needed! Juggling work, family commitments, and balancing relationships can cause physical and mental strain. Rest can help to decrease your level of stress but not always! Listen to what your body needs. If you still want to stay active, try activities with lower intensity, eg. yoga or walking for a few minutes.

Lack of sleep

Sleep is the most important part of every process of the body which affects your mental and physical function for the following day. If you are sleep deprived, it may be best to skip your gym session and rather prioritize a healthy sleep schedule. There is also an increased risk of injury if you struggle from a lack of sleep. Rather sleep early and hit the gym the next day.

If you have a cold

If you have any cold or flu symptoms the gym is the last place where you should be! It is never a good idea to exercise when you are feeling under the weather. It only increases your chance of staying sick for longer, which means you will have less time to work out in the long run.

Muscle soreness

If your muscles are very sore after an intense workout, rather skip your training session. Muscle soreness or stiffness is the process of your muscles repairing fibers. Training with sore muscles leads to an increased risk of getting an injury.

Completed a race

After fishing a marathon race or any other race you must take a rest day. The race pushed your body, and it is now time to celebrate and recover. Have an equal ratio between the length of training versus the number of rest days.

The amount of rest days depends on your needs, and it is not the same for everyone. Most people take 3 rest days between strength training sessions for full muscle recovery.  Other research suggested that a recovery period could be between 2 to a week of rest days.

Recovery is important and needed as it helps increase blood circulation which promotes recovery.

Rest days promotes muscle growth as cell are being repaired which helps the tissue to heal and grow, resulting in stronger muscles.

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References

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/5-times-when-you-shouldn-t-work-out-ncna1068281