How Long Should I Be Recovering Between Workouts For The Best Results?

Muscle growth, or hypertrophy, occurs when the muscle fibers experience small tears during exercise, and then repair and grow back stronger. The recovery period between workouts is crucial for this process to occur.

The length of time required for recovery can vary depending on the individual and the type of exercise being performed. Generally, a person should aim to have at least 48 hours of recovery between working the same muscle group. For example, if a person works out their chest on Monday, they should wait until at least Wednesday, ideally Thursday to work out their chest again.

However, this can vary depending on the intensity and volume of the workout. A person who is performing high-intensity exercises with heavy weights may need more recovery time than someone who is performing lower-intensity exercises with lighter weights.

It's also important to note that recovery doesn't just refer to muscle recovery but also recovery of your central nervous system and overall recovery of your body. Things like sleep, nutrition, water and protein also play a major roll in recovery.

A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 48 hours of recovery between working the same muscle group. However, it's important to listen to your body and adjust recovery time as needed. Additionally, recovery isn't just about muscle but also includes adequate rest, sleep, and nutrition.