When we exercise we hear allot of people telling us “make sure you are having a rest day”. Is it really that important for us to do so? Are we really benefiting from resting and taking a day off exercise? This blog goes through exactly how it affects us and how to strategize rest day into a workout regime!
The Importance Rest Days
Rest days should be added into your workout regime as it helps to rebuild and repair areas where there is pain. Overtraining can become more common in those who do not take rest days and make them prone to injury which could set them backwards. Depending on the intensity of the workouts it is common to train different body parts or sections of the body to limit the amount of rest taken throughout the week.
The 3 Important Effects Of Rest Days
- Reduced muscle pain and lactic acid removal from worked areas
- Rebuilding muscles that were broken down during exercise.
- Decreasing risk of injury and overuse of joints
Signs Of A Rest Day
- Continuous muscle soreness
- Inability to finish workouts
- Feeling unmotivated
- Binge eating
- Increased injury and loss of performance
You should see a doctor if you haven’t exercised regularly for a while and need to know where to start, if you believe you have sustained an injury while exercising, or if there is a specific site of pain that doesn’t seem to ease off with rest days.
Benefits Of Working Out
- Improved Mood
- Increase Mobility/Flexibility
- Decreased Stress
- Improved Strength
- Increased Energy Levels
- Changes to body fat percentage
*The general rule is to moderately exercise for 30 minutes each day which can be something as simple as a brisk walk!
If you are someone who is suffering from headaches, neck pain or low back pain or may think you are someone suffering from changes to your posture! You can always contact us or book online @ https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now
For more information about your first chiropractic visit, or our team of chiropractors visit the links attached!
*You Can Visit Us At Any Of Our 3 Locations – Broadmeadows – Westmeadows – Fawkner
Have you injured your hamstring? One of the most common injuries in sport is a Hamstring strain. The Hamstrings are three separate muscles of the posterior thigh that help flex the knee and extend the hip!
Injuries occur when the muscles are overstretched and overloaded in activities such as running. These injuries can range from mild strain to a very severe tear! Other injuries that can effect the Hamstrings include tendinopathies & bursitis.
One of the most common mistakes individuals make with rehabilitation of a hamstring injury is that they only focus on the hamstring and not the structures directly above it, such as the gluteal/buttock muscles
The gluteal muscles like the hamstrings are a powerful hip extensor and together have a synergistic role. Weakness in the gluteal muscles can often mean the hamstrings are overloaded and susceptible to injury. This is why gluteal strengthening forms an important part of the rehabilitation process
Here are 4 exercises for the gluteal muscles and hamstrings to speed up your recovery process
Elevated Single Leg Gluteal Bridge
Bulgarian Split Squat
Swiss Ball Leg Curl
Straight Leg Deadlift
Remember to consult a healthcare professional before commencing these exercises 
