Eating healthy and working out are two of the most important factors in building a better body, but nutrition and exercise can’t do it alone. If your sleep routine is off, all your hard work could go to waste.

“Sleep is essential because it not only gives your body time to recover from workouts, but also helps with chemical and hormonal balances,” says NYHRC 23rd Street Personal Trainer, Elysia Cronheim. “A lot of the time, people unknowingly overwork their bodies with frequent high intensity workouts. To reduce stress caused to your body during your workouts, there’s only one solution – rest.”

Everyone’s idea of “rest” is different, so it’s important to know what proper rest really is. “A proper form of rest isn’t sitting on the couch watching TV or binge watching the latest shows on Netflix,” says NYHRC 23rd Street Personal Trainer, Luis Pertuz. “Rest means getting the right amount of sleep that’s appropriate for you. Getting rest is similar to a well-balanced nutrition plan and is just as important as working out. Our brains and bodies reset themselves when they receive an appropriate amount of rest.”

Still not sold on sleep? “Just remember,” says Luis, “muscles heal while you sleep. No sleep means no gains!”

Looking for more tips on how to build a healthier lifestyle? Book a consultation with an NYHRC personal trainer today. https://nyhrc.com/personal-training/