Why leisurely movement is a must + 3 low-key exercises to try.

It should come as no surprise that we love a spicy, sweaty workout—nothing makes us feel stronger, less stressed, and more empowered. But to avoid injury and help our bodies repair, rest days are just as important as hitting it hard. Enter active recovery, which is like pressing pause on hardcore workouts but continuing to add gentle movement to your routine. Opting for low-intensity exercise on your rest days boosts your body’s natural healing process…and helps you bounce back stronger for tomorrow’s dance cardio class. So, are you ready to take advantage of an active recovery day?

While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a full day off from training, active recovery is a useful tool in your workout routine—and it’s key to maintaining a healthy, sustainable fitness practice that doesn’t feel too harsh or inflexible. Not only that, active recovery days are the perfect excuse to pencil in some fun new activities throughout the week! Make it a habit—your body (and mind) will thank you.