When to Take Rest Days

Rest days aren't slacking—they're when progress happens. Take a rest day when: you're excessively sore, performance drops, you're sick, or you slept poorly. Schedule at least 1-2 rest days weekly even if you feel fine. Active recovery (walking, light movement) beats total couch time. Don't feel guilty for resting; feel guilty for training when your body needs recovery—that's when injuries happen.