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  • RestDays v4: The King Strikes Again, Why Recovery isn’t Passive, Leg Day Hacks, and Much More. 🏀

RestDays v4: The King Strikes Again, Why Recovery isn’t Passive, Leg Day Hacks, and Much More. 🏀

The King Strikes Again, Why Recovery isn’t Passive, Leg Day Hacks, and Much More. 🏀

Hello from RestDays, where we treat every game day like it's a holiday, and every workout like it's a feast.

The rule is simple:

Grab a seat, get comfortable, and let’s dive into today’s issue:

  • The Scoreboard:
    King James hits 40k and goes into history books once again

  • The Recovery Room:
    Active Recovery: Your Secret Weapon to Outrun, Outplay, and Outlast

  • The Training Ground:
    One Exercise to Smash Your Leg Day

  • The Fuel Station:
    8 Micronutrients You Need to Keep Track of

The Scoreboard 💯

Where the action happens: A spotlight on this week's top sporting moments.

King James Hits 40k and Goes into History Books Once Again

The King James just slam-dunked his way into a realm no one's been before:

Hitting that jaw-dropping 40,000-point milestone.

At the ripe age of 39, he's etching his saga into the annals of basketball lore.

Twenty seasons deep, and he's practically a fixture at the All-Star games, missing the roll call only once.

His trophy case? Let's just say he needs a bigger room.

Loaded with championships, MVPs, and those shiny Finals MVP awards.

Lately, he might've hit the snooze button a few times but put him in the game, and it's like he's sipping from that mythical fountain of youth – age is just a number, right?

When it comes to the G.O.A.T debate, LeBron's name is blazing in neon lights. Fans of MJ and Chamberlain, tip your hats because the King is in town, and he's not just playing the game; he's revolutionizing it.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar put it perfectly: every record shattered by LeBron is a victory lap for the entire basketball fraternity. Off the court, LeBron's more than a player; he's a force, shaping the very fabric of the sport.

So, hats off to LeBron, and long live the King! 👑

The Recovery Room 🔋

Insights and tips for keeping your body game-ready and resilient.

Active Recovery: Your Secret Weapon to Outrun, Outplay, and Outlast

Where "no pain, no gain" often echoes through the halls, there's a secret weapon quietly winning the race.

Ever wondered why some days you feel like a superhero and others more like a sidekick?

Spoiler alert: it's not just about how hard you train but how smartly you recover.

The unsung hero of peak performance is Active Recovery.

It’s like giving your muscles a little nudge to keep them moving so they don't stiffen up and get sore. Think of it as a chill day where you’re not just sitting around but doing easy stuff like walking, biking, or stretching.

What's the Deal with It?

1. Boosts blood flow: Helps get nutrients to your muscles so they can repair faster.
2. Keeps you limber: Helps your muscles stay loose and not get tight.
3. Cleans out waste: Helps get rid of the stuff in your muscles that makes them sore.
4. Keeps you fit: Even on rest days, you’re doing a bit to stay in shape.
5. Prevents injuries: Keeping things moving smoothly helps avoid getting hurt.
6. Good for your mood: It’s a nice way to relax and lower stress.
7. Helps you adapt: Makes it easier for your body to get used to your workouts.

The goal?

Promote healing, reduce muscle soreness, and aid in the overall recovery process without causing further fatigue or stress to the body.

This cool-down phase keeps the blood pumping smoothly, getting away those nasty waste products while dishing out nutrients for hardworking muscles.

When to choose between active vs. passive:

• Use active recovery after lighter workout days or to break up intense training days. It’s about moving but not tiring yourself out.

• Passive recovery means total rest, especially right after really hard workouts or when you’re feeling run down.

How to keep it moving:

Easy does it: A stroll, a slow bike ride, or some chill yoga.
Stretch and roll: Embrace the zen of stretching or rolling out those muscles.
Dip your toes: Gentle swimming can be like a spa day for your muscles.

It's all about balancing the hard grind with smart,
Applying tactics to keep you in top form.

Keep pushing,
Keep recovering,
And keep soaring!

The Training Ground 🏋️

Your go-to for innovative workouts and strength-building secrets.

One Excercise to Smash Your Leg Day

If you want to be stronger when performing lower body exercises, apply a slant board lunge.

Balance, unilateral core strength, or stabilizing muscles - all these things are not a problem.

Why slant board lunges?

Lunges are a great way to load and strengthen the body outside a typical bilateral stance.

But this isn't your average lunge; it’s like lunges with a PhD in Balance and Muscle Activation.

You can also get highly creative with the direction you are loading your lunge, whether it be a curtsy lunge, lateral lunge, or forward or reverse lunge.

What's the big deal?

If you pay close attention, you’ll see that athletes frequently have to rotate their bodies from right to left or left to right.

Which forces the angle to access this curved and angular position.

If the ankle doesn’t have enough ability, you can expect another joint or tissue up the kinetic chain to compensate.

Getting it right:

Forget about going low – this is all about that sweet, sweet foot connection. And make sure you have the correct movement before adding load.

Starting strong:

Begin with isometric holds then work your way up.

For muscle-building and endurance, aim for 2-4 sets, 8-16 reps on each side.

Welcome to the slant board club – your quads and glutes will thank you (once they stop burning).

The Fuel Station 🥗

Elevating your game with the best news in nutrition.

8 Micronutrients You Need to Keep Track of

You’ve been loading up on proteins and healthy fats. But what about the small guests at the party? A.k.a. micronutrients.

These are the guys who are actually running the show.

They keep our bodies running well, especially for us athletes.

They help us have more energy, make our muscles heal after exercise, and can even stop us from getting sick or hurt. Every nutrient helps our body, but some are extra special for people who love to move and stay healthy.

Here are 8 to keep track of:

Vitamin D
The sunshine vitamin, isn’t just about sunny vibes. It’s your muscle's best bud for strength and functionality. Catch some rays or chow down on some seafood to keep the D flowing.

Vitamin E
Your personal antioxidant shield against the workout-induced storm inside your body. Think of it like your body's own shield, found in the culinary sidekicks like sunflower seeds and almonds.

Vitamin B12
The maestro of muscle repair and the rockstar behind hemoglobin synthesis. Animal products are its jam, but fortified cereals are the backstage pass for the plant-based crowd.

Iron
This isn’t just gym equipment but the MVP for oxygen transport. Animal-based heme iron is the VIP; however, plant-based fans can amp up their iron absorption with a vitamin C opening act.

Zinc
It’s ensuring your immune system and protein synthesis are ready for an encore. Plant-eaters, you might need to look into those backstage passes (supplements), though.

Magnesium
Involved in more backstage enzymatic reactions than you could shake a protein shaker at. Nuts and whole grains are where it’s at.

Potassium
It's the electrolyte maestro, keeping cramps at bay and ensuring your muscles hit every note perfectly.

Finally, Calcium
Not just for strong bones but for those muscle contractions too. If dairy's not your vibe, fortified plant milks are your front-row tickets.

It’s not just about loading up on these micronutrients but hitting the right note with timing and absorption harmony.

Nail this, and you’re not just feeding an athlete;
You’re fueling a performance powerhouse.

Small in size,

HUGE in performance.

Now go get those gains!

This Week’s Champion

Lebron James became the first player in NBA History to reach the 40k points milestone.

Not only this but he’s also got 10k+ in assists and rebounds.

Alongside that, he’s got 4 championships.

Best to ever do it?

Funniest Memes in Play

Why is Bron emoting mid-game? 💀

Can you even hit that PR without that feeling?

Wonder what’s he jealous of. 😂

And at Last, a Quote for the Week

Most people run a race to see who is fastest.
I run a race to see who has the most guts.

Steve Prefontaine

We're on a mission to evolve and provide the best content for our athletic community.

Got any ideas on how we can level up? We're all ears!

Drop us a line by replying to this email or shoot your thoughts over to [email protected].

Let’s make this journey even more epic.