It can take a lot of effort to get the motor running in freezing temps, so you give it time to warm up. Imagine trying to start your car on a winter day. If you can do cardio on rest days, it can be great for your heart. Instead of crossing your arms and binge-watching Netflix, you support your body’s fitness. There’s even a scientific name for it: active recovery. Cardio Keeps You Active and FlexibleĬardio helps your muscles stay flexible and energized. The increased blood flow also gets rid of workout-related waste products, such as lactic acid. Many vitamins, minerals and amino acids are building blocks of strong muscle tissue, and they can help sore muscles recover quickly. The boost in blood flow delivers plenty of oxygen and nutrients to tired muscles. Light or medium cardio keeps your blood pumping, literally. What Are the Benefits of Doing Cardio on Rest Days?ĭoing some cardio while your muscles recover can provide many benefits. Visit a doctor if you suspect any serious injuries, such as ligament, tendon or joint issues. Take a few days off so your body can concentrate on healing and pain relief. If you overstretched a muscle during your last workout or your neck feels stiff, don’t push your luck. Healthy exercise shouldn’t cause you physical pain. Even if you can’t do cardio on rest days because you need more time to recover, you're tired because you worked out, which is a good thing. Remember that a healthy lifestyle is more like a marathon than a sprint. This produces better results in the long run than being too hard on yourself. Take a breather for a day and get your energy back. You want the exercise to feel rewarding and positive, not like a punishment. Physical FatigueĮxhaustion isn’t good for long-term fitness. Taking a rest day can help you approach your next workout revitalized. That said, it’s not beneficial to be sore all the time. Delayed-onset muscle soreness is a sign that your body is building new muscle. Some soreness is normal after weight training. After surgery, for example, your body needs plenty of time to heal itself inside and out. Doctor’s OrdersĪlways follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to exercise, physical therapy and rest. Just like your brain needs relaxation after a long week at work, there are times when your muscles need to rest. When Should You Skip Cardio Workouts?Įven though you can do cardio on rest days, that doesn’t mean you always should. At the very least, you should give your muscles a break every 7-10 days. If you do a lot of strength training, you may need to squeeze in two or three rest days each week. The number of rest days your muscles need depends on several factors: the intensity of your workouts, your sleep quality and your stress levels. Focus more on getting your heart rate up. If you’re biking, for example, don’t put too much resistance on your muscles. The key is to keep your exercise in the light-to-moderate range. There is a wide range of cardio activities that pair well with rest days, including: These activities can give your body a good workout and help you burn fat, but they don’t necessarily trigger muscle growth. You can follow a program of low, moderate or vigorous cardio, including cycling and jogging. On the other hand, cardio exercises involve activities that raise your heart rate. Strength training activities such as lifting weights or doing lunges effectively break down your muscles and rebuild them stronger. One of the reasons that you can do cardio on rest days is that resistance training and cardio have different objectives and effects on your body. Cardio Exercises Versus Strength Training Even if your core muscles are feeling a little sore, you can probably squeeze in some low-key swimming. For example, if you’re giving your upper body a rest after lifting weights, nothing is stopping you from getting your feet moving with a light jog. Can you do cardio on rest days, or should you let your muscles relax completely? Can You Do Cardio on Rest Days?Īs long as you have the energy for it, you can do some light cardio on rest days without problems. You did good, and there’s nothing wrong with taking a rest day if you need it. Completing an intense workout fills you with a sense of accomplishment. The “work hard, play hard” mantra is often used in the world of business, but it applies to exercise, too.
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