The rest tag has no wiki summary.
40
votes
5answers
2k views
Importance of Rest Days
Why are rest days important?
When the weather permits, I jog (or otherwise work-out) every day, but people often tell me I should not, because rest days are important. What is the rationale behind ...
18
votes
2answers
1k views
How long should I rest in between sets?
If my goal is size.
EDIT: Since other people with potentially different goals than mines are likely to see this question, it would be good if your answer includes the optimal rest times for different ...
13
votes
6answers
6k views
Is it bad to workout when you aren't sleeping a lot?
I am a dad and we just had a newborn so I am not getting much sleep these days. I want to avoid getting out of shape and gaining weight as it easy to be lazy and slack off on health (eating, ...
10
votes
2answers
342 views
Any way to help muscles grow during rest, besides food (protein etc.)?
Since muscles grow when they are resting, has anyone got any tips, supplements or anything at all that will help my muscles grow more effectively during resting period?
9
votes
1answer
175 views
Heart rates and what they say about you?
A few years ago when training for a duathlon at school (swim, run) we had to train with heart rate monitors on to test what we could run at and how quickly we could drop it back down to a resting ...
8
votes
4answers
777 views
Why rest between sets?
Why is it common to rest between sets of repetition? Could I, instead of resting, exercise another muscle group?
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I reconcile the need for rest with “greasing the groove” on pull ups?
I'm currently doing Stronglifts 5x5, and I've read a lot of material about strength training. Everything I've read so far indicates that sufficient rest is essential to making progress and building ...
8
votes
2answers
169 views
What are the endocrinological benefits of holistic rest in bodybuilding?
It's common knowledge that bodybuilders need rest after a workout to rebuild muscle. Everyone advises localized rest. That is, you should give a particular muscle at least 48 hours of rest before ...
7
votes
4answers
199 views
Are there disadvantages to long rests between sets when strength training?
This is assuming I am training purely for strength (it seems there are already topics about this subject from a bodybuilding perspective).
Lets say I only barely make it through my first set of ...
6
votes
2answers
210 views
Low weight exercises in between sets
I have had few back and shoulder injuries over the years which left me terrified of those happening again. The recovery was slow and I lost much of the ground I've gained since I had to go with lower ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Importance of short rest times between sets
What are the benefits of taking shorter rest times in between sets? If I am capable of doing an extra rep or two if I rest for 1 minutes instead of resting for 30 seconds, which is more beneficial?
6
votes
1answer
935 views
How often should I stretch to improve my flexibility?
I'm trying to get my splits; I'm well on my way, but I still have a long way to go. How often should I stretch to improve my flexibility at an optimal pace (and not injure myself)? Is flexibility ...
6
votes
3answers
11k views
Is taking a nap before workout good idea?
When I come home from work (as a programmer) I am mentally very tired, and thus not able to concentrate on my exercises fully, yawning at the gym even.
Is it a good idea to take a nap for an hour ...
6
votes
2answers
139 views
Optimal method to vary muscle group recruitment?
Currently, I'm exercising 3 days a week (every other day), each day doing 2-3 muscle groups. Currently, my goal is to increase muscle mass. My question is, given my exercise goal, is it better to ...
6
votes
1answer
177 views
Should I do more reps or take more rest?
Many programs that I've come across (e.g. 100 push up challenge, 7 weeks to 50 pull-ups, etc.) prescribe a minimum rest time between sets and mention that you can take longer breaks if necessary, but ...
5
votes
3answers
297 views
is it necessary to do exercise that target only one muscle a day
I live in India and have joined 4-5 gyms in last 4-5 years in different cities. Every time people do and also suggest me to do exercise that target only one muscle per day. e.g. on Monday only biceps ...
5
votes
3answers
130 views
Which activities are OK during resting days?
I am currently going to the gym 3 times a week doing 2 alternating workouts. I am 31 years old and in a healthy condition.
During some weeks I feel the need to do more. I am sitting at home during ...
4
votes
1answer
126 views
Best way to ease back into body building routine after a long break
Do you guys have some recommendation on how to "get back" into the training?
Sometimes I have to stay few weeks without training, when I am on holidays for example.
I usually have two weeks of ...
3
votes
1answer
66 views
Proper sleeping time after tough workouts?
Everywhere it is written to "sleep well" to lose weight and build muscle.
I wonder what is the "correct" number of sleep hours? For Cardio workouts? Weight lifting?
If I'm doing a more intense ...
3
votes
2answers
151 views
Does aerobic exercise training change resting metabolism?
My question is basically whether aerobic exercise training makes one more effective at utilizing a greater proportion of FFAs (free fatty acids) as opposed to glucose under resting conditions. So this ...
3
votes
1answer
709 views
Full body workouts and rest periods
I've recently gone from working out at home to working out at the gym. I weigh about 145lbs and I'm 6ft, so I'm aiming to pack on another 10-14lbs before the end of the year.
Currently I do a full ...
2
votes
5answers
655 views
Working out when stressed
I know that working out helps the body out during stressful times. I've experienced myself this, after being stressed at work, hitting the gym 'releases' the tensions, specifically in my forehead ...
2
votes
3answers
79 views
Rest between warm-up sets
In a strength program (e.g., 3x5 or 5x5) where one warms up to their work weight with non-taxing sets, say:
2 x 5 x 20% work weight
1 x 5 x 40% work weight
1 x 3 x 60% work weight
1 x 2 x 80% work ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
What to expect for fitness and strength losses given x amount of days of rest?
After training off and on (mostly on) for about a year, I recently took a break from the gym and didn't exercise at all aside from gentle walking for close to 3 weeks. When I returned, it seems I ...
1
vote
2answers
316 views
Advice on resting muscles
What is the suggested amount of time to rest muscle groups between workouts to prevent injury?
I want to tone (improve shapeliness of existing muscle) my body and workout on average 6 times/wk ...
1
vote
3answers
207 views
Aerobic on days before weight lifting
I know the key behind weight lifting and strength training is giving your body time to rest, recover, and build muscle. So you can't go back to gym or even biking the day after.
What about the day ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Most Logical Muscle Groups Arrangement and Rest Day? [closed]
I'm in the midst of a heavy lifting routine.
Here's my current arrangement by day:
Biceps/Triceps
Calves/Hamstrings
Chest/Abs
Back
Shoulders
Abs
Is there a more optimal arrangement. And where ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
On smaller in between workout activies and the interpretation of resting phases
I have a three days a week workout plan (weight lifting Mo,We,Fr, basically an arms/torso, shoulder, back split respecively, for an hour or more) and I do cardio in between (depending on the time of ...
