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High Intensity Training Recovery
The Importance Of Recovery Between H.I.T. Training Workout
One of the most important factors for building massive muscle with high intensity training is in recovery or getting an appropriate amount of rest between workouts. What many weight lifters make the mistake of thinking is that your muscles get bigger from lifting weights.
Yes, you stimulate growth in your muscles by hitting the weights, but after a workout your muscles slightly reduce in size because of the micro-tears that occur within your muscle fibers. What gets your muscles to TRULY grow bigger is getting the right amount of rest in between workouts.
What you must know about recovery is that your muscles capacity to grow will eventually outdo your muscles ability to recover. For example, beginner lifters can benefit and grow with the usually prescribed 1 day of rest between workouts.
However, as the beginner continues to progress into an intermediate lifter, they will eventually reach a point where they stop making any progress no matter how hard they try. This is because the 1 day of rest between workouts simply is no longer enough for their muscles to fully recover before the next workout. Basically the bigger you get, the more rest you’ll need between workouts.
The Challenge…
You may have been taught that anymore than 48 hours between workouts and your muscle begins to disintegrate. However, I challenge you to take some time off from your training schedule where you don’t even go near a gym for an entire week.
After taking those 7 days off, go back to your workout routine and see if you can’t lift the exact same amount of weight if not more. Every time I’ve done this I’ve always come back to lift more and I think the same will go for you too!
Just remember to train with intensity, always take every exercise to complete momentary muscular failure, and listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to take an extra day off or 2 if you’ve had a particularly hard week or just don’t feel 100%.
One Comment
Chris says:
Very interesting article and this information rings especially true to me. Before switching over to H.I.T work-outs I was on a 5-day a week split body routine. I was on this routine for about a year and noticed that I reached a plateau very quickly that I could not overcome. I was not getting stronger and quickly realized that I was not getting enough recovery time. When I started interning at Vertex Fitness, a personal training studio in the Main Line PA, I was introduced to HIT. I was skeptical at first but I quickly came around. After a few weeks of the new routine I can already say that I am seeing changes in my strength and my appearance. I have been an avid lifter/bodybuilder/powerlifter for awhile now and I can say that the HIT work-outs have made me break my plateaus.
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Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
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