Exercise is great. Consistent exercise is even better. Yet, it’s okay to take a break.
Resting is just as important as working out because it’s an equal part of the total process required to build strength, endurance, and muscle.
Intense workouts, such as resistance training, breaks your body tissues down.
Rest days are a way for your body to recoup and rebuild.
Far too many people start an exercise protocol without being fully prepared.
“We have become an all or nothing society,” says Russell Wynter a NASM certified master trainer and co-owner of MadSweat. “People don’t know how to exercise properly. If you follow what everyone else is doing or the latest fad program, more often than not it will do more harm than good.” Full article here.
With as obsessed as people have become, they fail to give themselves enough rest. Before long, they are so exhausted from the intensity of their workouts, they stop all together.
Cross training for Optimal Performance
Another way to get the most out of your efforts is to cross train.
When I got involved in the sport of running, I ran and I ran and I ran and I became incredibly sore and tired. Even though I read lots of books, watched videos, read blog posts and talked to runners about how to perform at my best, I ignored a lot of the most important advice about cross training.
As a late starter in the sport, I wanted to “catch up” as quickly as possible. Wrong approach!
About a year ago, I smartened up and joined a running group at Run Hub Northwest. Not only did I train smarter with my running, I incorporated other types of exercise into my regime. Resistance training is a part of my regime. What a difference this has made. I’ve become stronger and can endure more as a result.
One of the greatest benefits of cross-training is greater resistance to injury.
According to Victor Prisk, “Cross-training for running can come in many forms with different goals in mind. One goal is to improve or maintain endurance even when not running. Another goal is to limit wear and tear on joints, tendons, or muscles by improving joint stability, proprioception, and balance. Finally, running has a tendency to catabolize muscle mass and we must maintain muscle to stay strong at all costs.”
Commit to Your Best
Regardless of what your main form of exercise is, be sure to incorporate rest days and other forms of exercise. Your body, mind and soul will thank you by performing at their best.
