Is it ok to take a rest day from HIIT?

Question

I just got back to doing strictly HIIT workouts which I love and always work! I did one each day the past two days (after not doing anything but jogging for a few months).

I tried to do one today but just felt dead so I stopped. Is it ok to no do HIIT every day?

Answer 1

Sure.

Answer 2

I would recommend doing HIIT a minimum of 2 days and a maximum of 4 days per week with a day or two off (depending on the number of days/week) in between those sessions. The number of days per week you do HIIT depends on your fitness level and diet.



FYI: The time off in between HIIT sessions is entirely dependent upon the intensity of them. The higher the intensity the more time off you can get away with. HIIT sessions use carbohydrate stores (glycogen) for energy DURING the HIIT workouts. You burn fat during the recovery time off from those HIIT sessions. If you do HIIT every day of the week, you risk depleting all glycogen which leads to low energy levels and at times, muscle injuries. The time off will replenish glycogen. I would not recommend a crazy low carbohydrate diet while doing HIIT.



Best of luck and good health!

Answer 3

Having rest days so you don't burn out all your energy should be fine.