Take a well-deserved rest day. After all, a day off allows your muscles to recover, rebuild, and become stronger. But chill days in the 21-Day Summer Shape-Up Challenge [1] aren't just for lounging on the couch. To speed your recovery and get your blood flowing to help feed your weary muscles, take yourself for a 20-minute stroll, bike ride, jog, or swim, and then show your muscles some TLC with massage and stretching. Here's our simple prescription for making the most of your rest day.
Roll It Out
A weekly massage would be great for your body but not so great for your wallet. Instead, invest in a foam roller [2] for some DIY muscle relief. Roll out knotted muscles and prime tight spots before stretching. Here are three resources to kick off your massage session.
- Foam rolling to energize tired legs [3]
- A video tutorial [4] to check out a roller in action
- Back massage with a roller [5] to feel taller instantly
Stretch It Out
After walking and rolling, lengthen tight muscles with some stretching. Pick one or two stretches for each body part, and hold your stretches for 30 seconds each.
- Hamstring stretches [6]
- Calf stretches [7]
- Quad stretches [8]
- Glute stretches [9]
- Back stretches [10]
Enjoy your chill day!