Starting an exercise program: Take time to rest

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Starting a fitness program? Don't get carried away. Working out too intensely or too often increases your risk of injury and burnout. Start cautiously and progress slowly. And plan time between sessions for your body to rest and recover.

Dec. 16, 2021 See more In-depth

See also

  1. Slide show: 5 smart exercise choices for psoriatic arthritis
  2. Accentuate the positive to make lasting health changes
  3. An appointment to exercise? You bet!
  4. Are you ready for a workout?
  5. Blood Doping
  6. Can I exercise if I have atopic dermatitis?
  7. Core exercises
  8. Create a home gym without breaking the bank
  9. Did you exercise today? Reward yourself!
  10. Don't have an exercise budget? Go cheap!
  11. Dress smart for winter workouts
  12. Early bird or night owl? Plan exercise accordingly
  13. Exercise benefits
  14. Exercise and chronic disease
  15. Exercise and illness
  16. Stress relief
  17. Exercise: Every minute counts!
  18. Exercising with arthritis
  19. Exercising regularly? Track your progress!
  20. Fitness: Take it 1 step at a time
  21. Fitness ball exercises videos
  22. Fitness barriers: Bust 'em
  23. Fitness program
  24. Fitness takes more than huffing and puffing
  25. Fitness tip: Get physical at home
  26. Fitness tip: Get physical at work
  27. Fitness tip: Include your friends
  28. Fitness training routine
  29. Going up? Take the stairs
  30. Golfers: Know when to call it quits
  31. Golfers: Tee up common sense
  32. Hanging out with friends? Activity counts!
  33. Hate to exercise? Try these tips
  34. Heart rate
  35. Hockey Flywheel
  36. How fit are you?
  37. Is exercise a chore? No more!
  38. Keep your workout fun
  39. Know when to move your winter workout indoors
  40. Marathon and the Heat
  41. BMI and waist circumference calculator
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: How to hit your target heart rate
  43. Miss a workout? Don't give up!
  44. Need a gym to get fit?
  45. Need exercise motivation? Put it on paper
  46. Need motivation to exercise? Try a diary
  47. No pain, no gain? No way!
  48. No time for exercise? No way!
  49. Pregnancy and exercise
  50. Core-strength exercises
  51. Guide to stretches
  52. Balance exercises
  53. Fitness ball
  54. Starting a fitness program? Take it slow
  55. Strength training: How-to video collection
  56. Too busy to exercise? Get up earlier
  57. Too sick to exercise?
  58. Walking for fitness: Getting started
  59. Want to get fit? Try backyard aerobics!
  60. Winter weather tip: Watch for signs of frostbite
  61. Working out? Remember to drink up
  62. Workout blahs? Don't go it alone!