It takes a person of determination to train hard, and many athletes are willing to do whatever is necessary to create a body that will perform on demand. While they spend long hours in the gym for days on end, their dedication is not to be taken for granted. They will need to stop at certain points to let their body heal, but many of them will resist taking a break. Some might feel forced into it, but others will be when they end up with an injury that keeps them from their normal pursuits.
Parts of intensive physical training can be destructive to the body if not done properly, and even accidents can become an issue. Athletes spending all their time at various exercises are stressing specific muscle groups, tendons and even bones to achieve their goals. The stress is what can make their body react positively by becoming stronger, but even a little more stress can cause a break. This is the time when an athlete will have to stop exercising a particular area or muscle group so their body can recover completely.
It can be difficult for an active person to leave their normal regimen, and those in extreme training can find it mentally challenging to fight of feelings of failure or depression. They might consider it a regular rest break if their injury is not too severe, or they could find other areas where their body can be enhanced to take up the time they normally would use on their main goals.
Being able to break off from physical conditioning is important, so it should be a planned part of any program. For those with an injury that must be allowed time to heal, learning how to retrain other parts of their physique or mind could be a useful outlet while they rest and relax.
