LIVE YOUR REST LIFE
When the gym is your sanctuary & stress-reliever, it can be hard to summon the self-control to schedule a rest day.
Why take a break when you could be breaking records in the gym? (Side note: we've written a pretty handy blog on how to avoid that guilt when you skip the gym. Check it out here)
But if you’ll only take a rest day when you’re so sore you can barely walk, it’s more likely you’ll ignore the less-obvious cues that you need to pencil in a day off and pass off signs of overtraining as simply being demotivated (or just being hangry).
But reading these signals can help you avoid injuries and plateaus, empowering you to take perfectly timed rest days that can reap huge benefits for your performance in the gym. Here are the four signs you might be in the ‘desperately needs a rest day’ category.
1. YOU’RE DREADING YOUR WORKOUT
Lifting doesn’t just tire your muscles, it also fatigues your brain. Those sweat-soaked workouts demand focus, discipline and resilience, and your brain needs just as much recovery as your muscles. Dreading your workout when it’s something you’d usually look forward to, is a clear sign that you need a rest day. Remember, this is more than just anticipating a difficult session, it’s feeling demotivated to the point that you have to drag yourself to the squat rack, or when you’re finding it hard to get any enjoyment or fulfillment from your training. If your brain is begging for a break, take a well-earned rest day. We want you to thrive through your training, not grind through it.
2. YOUR WORKOUT FEELS MUCH HARDER THAN USUAL
Sure, we all have those days when the weight plates feel like small planets. But if you’re feeling like this for consecutive workouts, it might be time to take a rest day. When you’re overtraining, you’re denying your body the chance to repair and grow your muscles, and instead just continually re-tearing them again. This can cause your performance to plateau or even decrease, and those 10s will start to feel like 50s. Scheduling a rest day can ensure proper recovery & repair, relax your central nervous system and ensure you return to the squat rack feeling mentally refreshed and motivated.
3. YOU’VE LOST YOUR APPETITE
Working out usually leads to a healthy appetite, however excessive exercise can cause hormonal imbalances that affect how hungry or full you feel. If you experience a loss of appetite despite grinding through heavy lifting sessions on a regular basis, it could be a sign you need to take a rest day. These physiological disturbances in your appetite regulatory system can interfere with your energy and nutrient intake, compromising your recovery and performance in the gym.
4. YOU’RE ALWAYS TIRED, BUT CAN’T SLEEP
Lift heavy, sleep heavy, right? Not always.
Too many taxing lifting sessions can leave you tossing and turning at night, even if you’re physically and mentally fatigued. When you don’t give your body enough time to repair between rigorous workouts, the elevated cortisol (stress hormone) can weaken your immune system and make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Take a rest day or even trade your high-intensity session for some moderate exercise to break up the overtraining cycle.
OUR REST DAY PICKS
Live your rest life in our loungewear classics, created for comfy days off. You can view our full range of active lounge options for women & men, or check out our favorites below.
TIE DYE COLLECTION
We made this with real tie dye fabrics, so no two pieces are the same. The raw edges adds urban style & flatters your midsection, while the slouchy fit offers room to move, so you’re always covered for comfort.
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NKD LEGGINGS
With a buttery-soft fabric, you can lounge in ultimate comfort in these women’s leggings.
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DEFINE LONG LINE T SHIRT
A simple staple. This lightweight, long length piece has a stretch fabric that moves with you, becoming a staple in your rest day wardrobe.
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OFF DUTY FLEECE SHORTS
Made for any type of movement. From home workouts to recovery day Netflix, these shorts are fit for every occasion.
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Discover more of our Active Lounge pieces HERE
Ryderwear HQ is your lifters library of the latest training, nutrition & mindfulness insights (as well as inside looks at our latest workout clothing).
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