How to maximize rest days to get the most from your fitness routine

BestReviews

It's easy to be overeager when it comes to working out, especially if you're starting a new fitness routine. But if you don't take rest days, you run the risk of an injury that will prevent you from exercising for much longer.

Whether you’re training for a half-marathon or regularly find yourself pumping iron at the gym, recovery should be a part of your routine. 

Giving your body time to rest is incredibly important. Rest days allow your body to recover and grow stronger, and ignoring your body’s need for recovery is a surefire way to end up injured or overtrained. And if you get injured, you won’t be able to work out at all. 

Maximize the effectiveness of your on days with the help of these recovery tools.

Tools for recovery

While it’s essential to take full rest days as needed — we all need a bit of R&R on the couch sometimes — active rest days are a vital part of a comprehensive fitness regimen. Be proactive on non-workout days and reap the benefits of feeling fully recovered the next time you lace up your shoes or visit the gym.

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Steph Coelho writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.