Whether you enjoy attending group fitness classes or lifting weights at the gym, regular exercise can help you lose weight, tone muscles, and promote overall health. However, since the body needs time to recover, you should include rest days into your workout schedule approximately 24 to 48 hours after engaging in strenuous physical activity. Below, learn more about why this is so important.

Why Should You Take Rest Days?

1. Replenish Energy

When you engage in moderate- to high-intensity exercises, such as fast walking or HIIT workouts, your body uses glycogen to deliver carbohydrates to muscles, giving them the energy to move and stretch. Resting for 20 hours following brisk physical activity allows glycogen levels to replenish, preventing you from feeling tired after workouts. On your rest day, eat more carbohydrates to help your body replenish these energy stores.

2. Ease Sore Muscles

Muscles can become inflamed within about six to eight hours of exercise, resulting in soreness. Though this is a common sign of strengthening, working out again too soon can cause tissue damages. Take a day to rest after intense cardio or weight lifting to allow muscles time to relax. You can also reduce swelling and inflammation by taking ice baths or applying compresses to any areas of discomfort.

3. Allow Tissues to Repair

Micro-tears can form in muscle tissues during high-intensity training sessions. Rest days allow amino acids to repair damaged proteins in the tissue between workouts, preventing small tears from becoming more severe muscle damages.

4. Prevent Injuries

Repetitive stress injuries can occur due to overuse of the same muscle groups during each workout. Prevent discomfort that might keep you out of the gym for several days or weeks by taking a day to rest, rehydrate, and get plenty of restorative sleep.

Stay healthy and in shape by working out regularly at House of Pain Gym in Maryland Heights, MO. They offer high-tech gym equipment, including treadmills and elliptical machines, along with fitness classes and personal training sessions. Call (314) 398-8184 to enroll in a gym membership plan, and visit their website to learn more about their benefits and amenities.