Comments on: The Importance of Rest

By: Rajesh Sharma

Rajesh Sharma — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:26:36 +0000

One to two week of recovery after few weeks of heavy weight training is what I enjoy most.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 25 May 2011 01:08:18 +0000

“Odds are, if you’re like most out there, the mere idea of taking 5 days (or more) off from training fills you with fear. All your strength, muscle and fitness will just disappear. And, oh my god, you’ll just get fat.”

Haha, this is EXACTLY how it feels to me. But then, I’m thinking about how my joints crack more than old people’s, I haven’t taken more than 3 days off in more than a year and a half, and I’m starting to feel ‘tired’, and ‘overtrained’….

It’s such a hard mental game to give yourself a rest period… But I think I’m going to do it… Urgh. Thanks for the article – i’m going to stick with the plan that after a rest period I can really hit a higher peak and push it even more intensely.

By: Marion

Marion — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 21:14:48 +0000

Thanks for sharing this article, Lyle. Reading it definitely “eased the pain” to battle with the guilt about taking a day off.

Marion S.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:38:34 +0000

Thank you so much for your article. I have used some of it on my blog as well as a link from my blog to your blog. Much appreciated.
I am committed to making long lasting changes and rest is important when one is not well.

Thanks
Chris Tutauha – Health and Fitness Blogger

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:41:47 +0000

If one was going to take a week off from training at the end of a dieting phase, would you recommend the 2 week maintenance phase before or after the week off, in preparation for a gaining phase?

Also, is it necessary to deload intensity at the beginning of a gaining phase, after dieting, or is it fine to just go from reduced volume maintenance 2 weeks straight into new maxes the first gaining week?

Thanks.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:17:43 +0000

Slightly Underweight Teen who lifts weights four times a week and is generally quite active; had a lazy day doing light chores – feeling better about the scoop of ice cream and biscuits I had earlier
Resting sore leg muscles was worth it!
Ta!

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:14:36 +0000

Lyle, thanks for this article. It really is unfortunate that athletes feel the need to push themselves and overtrain themselves into injury, ESPECIALLY when you consider that gains don’t happen during the workout, but during the recovery. The insight into the mental benefits of recovery was also awesome. Very timely info. Thanks man.

By: PlankIt

PlankIt — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:25:17 +0000

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve shared this article with.
I’m not sure if that is good or bad (good article vs horribly over-trained people)
But either way, thank you.

By: d sun

d sun — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:06:22 +0000

I don’t workout (or do much of anything) on the weekends, but then work out 5 days a week. Now I don’t and shouldn’t feel as guilty for the lazy weekends, thanks!