Family Encyclopedia >> Sports

This is how you know when to skip the gym

Exercise is good for you, but there are limits. Everyone needs a rest day every now and then, so do you.

Do you think it's a punishment if you can't exercise for a day? Afraid you won't burn enough calories, or you'll lose muscle if you don't lift weights for a day? Whatever your motivation for exercising, it's important to schedule rest days. Rest days are essential to achieve your goal, whether you're working on a toned body, a lower body fat percentage or training for the marathon. Even elite athletes have rest days built into their schedules. They do this to give their bodies enough time to recover and become stronger.

In the April issue of Santé you can read when it is time for a rest day and what it is better to do and what not to do on that day.