30 Days To Flexy: Day 2

Today is a rest day and now is a good time to explain that I’ve designed this program to include plenty of rest days. Please adhere to the designated rest days for the best results.

Pro tip: You might be wondering why I’m having you rest so often when your goal is to try and increase your flexibility? I thought it might be helpful to educate you as to why rest plays such an important role when it comes to increasing your flexibility:

• Muscle repair: Intense activity creates microscopic tears in muscle fibers. A rest day is crucial for your body to repair these tears, which is the process that leads to stronger and more flexible muscles.
• Reduces stiffness and soreness: Rest allows your body to flush out lactic acid and other metabolic waste products that contribute to muscle soreness and stiffness. This makes it easier to move through a full range of motion, as with some gentle stretches on a rest day.
• Prevents injury: Overtraining without enough rest increases the risk of injury because your body is constantly under stress. When you are fatigued, you are more likely to use poor form, and your muscles are more susceptible to injury.
• Improves nervous system function: Rest allows your central nervous system (CNS) to reset, which is essential for full recovery and improved performance in future workouts.
• Enables adaptation: Flexibility training requires your body to adapt to new ranges of motion. Rest days are when your body makes these adaptations, allowing your muscles and tissues to become more pliable over time.

What to do on a rest day:

• Active recovery: Light activities like walking, gentle yoga, swimming, or light stretching can increase blood flow, reduce soreness, and improve flexibility without adding stress.
• Listen to your body: If you feel unusually sore or fatigued, it’s a sign you need more rest. Pushing through can lead to overtraining and injuries.
• Prioritize other recovery factors: Ensure you are getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, and managing overall stress, as these all play a key role in recovery and flexibility.