R is for Rest

We have written about rest before (read previous articles on Rest Days and Overtraining), so why write about it again? Well, to be frank, the lack of rest is still a major factor in many issues we deal with – some people just do not rest enough. Here’s a few thoughts for you to ponder on when you are wanting to squeeze in that extra training session:

Yes, it’s a gym environment/running track/*insert your sports arena. Yes you come here to train, to put yourself through a gruelling regime and come out the other side a hardened, forged athlete.

This isn’t the place you come to in order to hear about rest, and we don’t want to be the ones to preach about it.

However, you may want to consider this.

Muscle growth and strength gains do not actually occur in the gym/sports arena. They happen when you have trained hard, and you are resting – recovering.

Think about it. After lifting 3 sets, or doing hill reps, you are weaker at the end than you were at the beginning. Have enough rest and you will be stronger again.

To get faster, stronger and better you need the stimulus, and you need rest.

Without both of those ingredients, improvement cannot happen for a long time.

And if you don’t believe us, chew over what a few quite well respected athletes have said over the years.

Mark Cavendish – after a disappointing performance at the 2010 World Champs – “It takes balls to rest and do nothing and I didn’t have the balls”.

Dan John – “Since most of the information concerning rest is free – there is no market, and therefore, you don’t hear about it much”.

Michael Phelps – The best way to benefit from your toughest workouts is to let your body fully recover before training hard again. “Sleep is also a big part of my recovery,” Phelps says. “It’s really important that my body gets enough rest so that I’m ready to go for my next race or training session.”

So, in short,

Work + Rest = Training

Don’t Do The Work If You Don’t Have The Balls To Rest.

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