Rest and recovery are just as important as training when it comes to achieving peak athletic performance. Your body needs both to recover, rebuild and re-energize. Here’s why:

• Muscle growth and repair: Strength training can cause tiny muscle tears. When you allow your body to rest, it gives your muscles time to repair and grow stronger.
• Injury prevention: Overworking your muscles and joints can lead to strain, fatigue and even serious injuries. Recovery days reduce inflammation and allow for the tissue to heal properly.
• Improved performance: Your energy is replenished during rest, allowing you to perform better in your next session.
• Stronger immune system: Overtraining weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Rest helps your body fight off infections and helps you stay healthy.
• Nervous system recovery: Heavy lifting and high-intensity workouts stress the central nervous system (CNS). Rest days reset your CNS, which improves your coordination, reaction time and overall strength.

Maximize your recovery by:

• Prioritizing sleep (seven to nine hours per night)
• Hydrating and fueling your body with proteins, healthy fats and carbs
• Engaging in active recovery - light movements, stretching or mobility work to help blood flow
• Listening to your body. If you're overly sore or fatigued, take a break!

Article by Kaila Mason

Rest and recovery are just as important as training when it comes to achieving peak athletic performance. Your body needs both to recover, rebuild and re-energize. Here’s why:

• Muscle growth and repair: Strength training can cause tiny muscle tears. When you allow your body to rest, it gives your muscles time to repair and grow stronger.
• Injury prevention: Overworking your muscles and joints can lead to strain, fatigue and even serious injuries. Recovery days reduce inflammation and allow for the tissue to heal properly.
• Improved performance: Your energy is replenished during rest, allowing you to perform better in your next session.
• Stronger immune system: Overtraining weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Rest helps your body fight off infections and helps you stay healthy.
• Nervous system recovery: Heavy lifting and high-intensity workouts stress the central nervous system (CNS). Rest days reset your CNS, which improves your coordination, reaction time and overall strength.

Maximize your recovery by:

• Prioritizing sleep (seven to nine hours per night)
• Hydrating and fueling your body with proteins, healthy fats and carbs
• Engaging in active recovery - light movements, stretching or mobility work to help blood flow
• Listening to your body. If you're overly sore or fatigued, take a break!

Article by Kaila Mason