The Importance of Rest

By Shawn Kocab

A vital aspect to getting in shape and building muscle is rest. To achieve maximum results of any training program, one must get sufficient rest for muscle recovery. When working out, muscle fibers tear and are broken down. While resting, muscles repair and rebuild, while adapting to the strenuous activities placed upon them. This process causes muscle tissue to become bigger and stronger. Without adequate rest and recovery, you will not build muscle.

It is hard to say how much rest one needs. There are many factors to consider, such as how hard you workout. How much energy you expend in a day. Some need more rest then others.

Want a Great Workout and Nutrition Program that will help you Build Muscle Mass Fast! Click Here!

While the general rule is to get 8 to 9 hours of sleep. Some feel good and have no problem working out and building muscle with as little as five hours a sleep. Some need up to ten hours. Top athletes such as professional mixed martial art fighters who train up to four hours a day, five to six days a week. It’s recommended they get 10 to 11 hours of sleep. You know your body better then anyone. Do what feels right to you.

Knowing how many days to take off for a particular muscle group, also has several determining factors. Like if you are lifting heavy, moderate, or light weight. Whether you focus on one muscle group per day or do full body workouts. You perform other strenuous activities besides lifting, such as sprinting, plyometrics, martial arts, etc… It is important to consider all these things. Especially if a lot of your workouts anaerobic(exercise requires muscles to contract at high intensities for short periods.) Any kind of anaerobic activity that you may be doing causes a lot of stress on your muscles, joints, and tendons. Pay attention to which muscles your working and make sure they are getting adequate rest. Any where between 4 to 7 days is a sufficient amount of recovery time for an individual muscle group. Just make sure you don’t over train. Not only will not progress by over training you can actually become weaker.

A few symptoms of over training

-weakness/fatigue

-ringing of the ears

-depression/anxiety

-restless sleep/insomnia

Working out slows down your immune system. So it only make sense that over training can drastically increase your chances of getting sick.

Sign Up for our Newsletter and Get Tom Venuto's Ab Solutions 3-Part Mini Course. Also you'll receive a Free Bodybuilding Report and Discover The Truth Behind Developing 6-Pack Abs!  Take a few seconds to subscribe to our newsletter  and get all kinds of great training, bodybuilding, and nutrition information. By signing up you'll also get a free Bodybuilding Report, valued at $27, written by Best Selling Author and Professional Bodybuilding expert, Tom Venuto. In His in depth report, 'Mission Abdominals' Tom teaches you the most effective ways to build a ripped midsection as fast as possible!     Fill in the fields below and receive your free report right away!  Name: Email:

Can't gain Weight or Muscle Mass?

If your answer to the above question is yes then I strongly recommend Bill Davis Hardgainer Manifesto.This 36 page Training Program, gives you exact step-by-step instructions on how to train to start putting on Lean Muscle Mass.