Recovery

Peak 8, HIIT, Convict Conditioning, etc, etc, etc. will not work if the proper recovery from these or any other workouts is not complete. A common notion, which is being regularly dispelled, is that we get stronger from our workouts. This is incorrect. We get stronger by recovering and adapting to the stress induced during the workout.

So, the perennial question is: How hard should I workout and how often? Let’s answer the second question first. You should not have a hard workout unless you feel completely refreshed from your previous workouts, especially the last hard workout you had. If in doubt, leave it out. Period.

For some people, full recovery from a hard workout can happen in a couple of days. That means that there would be one hard day followed by two easy days. This is the maximum anyone can tolerate and is the pattern that properly trained world-class athletes follow. For most of the rest of us, more recovery/easy days are probably necessary. Remember, workouts are a stress to the body. If your life is also stressful, the workout is an additional stressor. So, if your life is stressful, or you are in recovery from a stressful lifestyle, it is likely that you will require more easy days before your next hard workout.

OK, the first question: How hard is hard enough for a hard workout? Basically, you shouldn’t feel like talking. When you finish, you should feel refreshed and your heart rate should come back to normal within a few minutes. If you don’t feel refreshed and your HR isn’t back to normal, it was too hard. If this response to training frequently occurs, you are exercising too hard. If your heart rate is still elevated in the evening or upon retiring, you are going way too hard!

Remember, recovery is where strength is built.