Benefits of Active Rest

If your training hard…like I know most of you are, you need to take some rest days. Usually about 1 to 3 days, this can usually help prevent repetitive stress injuries and give your muscles the time they need for repair. But that doesn’t mean you need to a couch potato and veg-out all day on the couch! Being moderately active can actually help your body with recovery. Getting your heart rate up helps to get your blood flowing, bringing oxygen and nutrients to muscles damaged by working out. Getting your blood pumping will also help flush away waste products like lactic acid that can build up in muscles post exercise. Try doing some activity that you enjoy for about 20-30 minutes. Some ideas for active rest exercise: a power walk, a bike ride about town (avoiding serious climbs, of course), or a leisurely paced swim, gardening, or just playing with the kiddos! So be sure to get out there and enjoy those rest day.