Do This on Non-Workout Days (NO GAINS LOST!!) – ATHLEAN-X™

by YouTube Team

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One of the most common workout questions is what to do on non-workout or off days. In this video, I’m going to show you a few exercise options you have if you absolutely must do something on those days when you aren’t scheduled to be in the gym. Keep in mind, your time away from the gym is paramount to the success you will see in it. Muscle recovery is one of the most important things you can prioritize in your training.

That said, if you are going to look for something to do on your off days you first have to identify your goal. If you are a hardgainer or skinny guy that is struggling to put on muscle mass you will want to do everything in your power to focus mostly on eating and resting on your off days. Doing extra cardio is not the prescription for adding muscle if you are already struggling to do so.

If you are looking for an activity to do, you will want to focus on those things that prioritize explosive or athletic actions without the long duration component. So think about how you can be explosive without lifting heavy weights or those that have a high eccentric component. Things like a sled push or battle ropes can be great ways to get your heart rate up quickly without turning your workout into too much of an aerobic one.

Along those same lines you can choose to do ball slams. This exercise does not have a heavy eccentric overload component and makes for an activity that you will not have a hard time recovering from. If you do this in a repetitive fashion (30 to 40 slams as quickly as you can with minimal breaks or rest), then you are going to gain the benefits of the conditioning of this without overloading the muscles beyond their ability to recover.

If on the other hand your goal is fat loss and you need to lose excessive weight, then your “off” day could provide you with a great opportunity to accumulate some additional volume that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get in your 5 days of training. Here is where something like a steady state cardio option (running, walking, biking, etc) is going to work best since the intensity will be much lower than during a preferential HIIT session which will allow you to build up some extra minutes burning calories.

Regardless of your path you will always want to prioritize your recovery and do so with the help of good nutrition and supplementation. Here is where you can excel if you already have not dialed this area in. The ATHLEAN-Rx supplement lineup has Reconstruxion as it’s primary muscle recovery supplement. This is the choice of professional athletes who must be able to recover between games to maximize consistency of performance throughout the season. Watch your workouts and your results improve by visiting and try the exact same edge the pros are using.

For more videos on how to recover from your workouts and which supplements are best for muscle recovery be sure to subscribe to our channel here on youtube at

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50 comments

Matt Witkowski February 25, 2020 - 3:02 pm

If you read the cc in English, not auto-generated, his actions don’t match any explanation. I was so confused watching this with cc and sound off.😂

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name name March 6, 2020 - 7:18 pm

"NO GAINS LOST"
Finally something on athleanX that doesn't kill gains

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Bernardo March 8, 2020 - 7:45 pm

loved this video!!! ty

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Dan Ferreira March 26, 2020 - 9:13 am

Great tips on what to do on "rest days"

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Mucci Sebastián March 29, 2020 - 6:57 am

Im scared for the safety of that huge screen

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Ugly duckling April 10, 2020 - 2:36 am

Can I do hiit on rest days???

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Sean Smith April 11, 2020 - 5:00 pm

Thanks for confirming that you can train 7 days a week for fat loss as long as it's conditioning. I usually do 5 min jog + 6 pack shuffle targeting either lower abs or obliques on off days. That's in addition to my AX-1 plan.

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PainfulWhale April 15, 2020 - 4:09 am

The tenant below me is going to love my sled and lead ball slams 😉

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Poppa Bear April 18, 2020 - 2:04 pm

None workout days. What are they?

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confettihunterminus1 May 5, 2020 - 4:59 am

Yoga on rest days?

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Suplex May 16, 2020 - 1:34 am

off days? this would make the most intense day.

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Normal human person May 17, 2020 - 11:34 pm

Stretching is also a good idea from what I've heard.

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James Jines May 24, 2020 - 12:45 am

I never comment but can I just say that I appreciate the ratio of positive to negative comments the majority of the time on this channel. Its such a relief to be curious about others opinions on a subject and not be bombarded with negativity.

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Abdulrahman Alenezi May 27, 2020 - 8:42 am

Wait so as for someone who’s trying to put on weight.. can i at least walk on my off days?

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Syed Mohammed June 3, 2020 - 1:56 am

I believe the subtitles are from another video…

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Bluejacket June 4, 2020 - 10:27 pm

The subtitles in this video are wrong

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#Happyhealthylife June 8, 2020 - 4:28 am

Thanks Jeff! Greetings from Indonesia

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Jason Howard June 15, 2020 - 9:23 pm

Very helpful video, does boxing (shadowboxing and hitting the bag) count as one of the cardio workouts you can do on a day off? I used to be an fighter, too old now, and I'm starting to follow the Athlean X program, I want to gain a little size, but I don't want to completely give up on my boxing workouts I have always done

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Gabriel July 14, 2020 - 11:08 am

I’m 14 at 160lb but the stupid BMI index is telling me I’m overweight even though it’s mostly muscle and I don’t look fat at all

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Pheelicks Canari August 30, 2020 - 7:34 pm

THanks jeff

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Intrinity Boi September 6, 2020 - 12:10 am

Literally found a jump rope in my closet the other day

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Apolo044 September 14, 2020 - 10:36 pm

The english caps are from another video

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Isaac Taylor September 15, 2020 - 2:01 am

What are some good medicine ball exercises to do on off days besides just med ball slams that minimize eccentric loading

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Zen Billion October 8, 2020 - 2:19 pm

Can I do cardio on rest days ?

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Travis Radovan October 12, 2020 - 12:58 am

What about plyometric training on recovery days? Love the channel keep it up!

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Geo MS October 15, 2020 - 5:03 pm

I do This on Workout Days

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A CJ November 28, 2020 - 8:51 am

Crazy subtitles

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AYANGHAT BEHERA November 28, 2020 - 12:54 pm

Could we do stretching on rest days

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Amelia Carter December 5, 2020 - 3:32 pm

Right on! Don’t half ass it!! Great advice! Never knew the rational about recovery that specific! That’s why I just joined Athlean X!!! 💪🏼

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Elishah Martinez December 17, 2020 - 2:01 am

I know this video is pretty old. But, I would like to see the difference between Work out days and Rest Days. Mainly asking about what protein and calorie intake. Example, If I take 50g of protein shake, whether it be recovery or build, which of any, protein powder should I use on my rest days. Do I go back to my food schedule without powder or continue to consume a lot of protein because my body is rebuilding.

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Tyler Floyd December 17, 2020 - 2:03 pm

Most ppl struggle going to the gym.. I struggle not going to the gym on rest days🤣 rest days are the hardest

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bi0lizard1 December 27, 2020 - 11:55 am

I usually do restorative yin yoga style hamstring stretching.

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Lauro Lopez January 8, 2021 - 6:30 pm

What about nutrition on rest days

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david disaro January 11, 2021 - 4:19 pm

Hi, I'm 1.66 and weight 66 kg, I have 3 purchase options, a 1.5-inch battle rope of 9 or 15 meters long or 2 inches of 9 meters long, which one do you recommend?

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Arron Vollmer April 6, 2021 - 8:59 am

Under-rest-imate

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G L April 11, 2021 - 6:20 am

Dang I want to gain muscle but I also like to do something in off days like a run since I used to be a distance runner.

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J N April 11, 2021 - 12:12 pm

Battle ropes and sled work out if possible

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Juan Fichtl May 4, 2021 - 9:52 pm

If you do the workouts right you won't be able to stand up the next day.

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Barquero Juan Carlos May 22, 2021 - 12:48 pm

Like doing burpees?

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Got Burnt May 29, 2021 - 6:34 pm

In short : cardio

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The Bunker Podcast July 12, 2021 - 11:14 pm

Roman legioners marched 20 roman miles in heavy gear and carrying heavy equipment every morning

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net punk July 24, 2021 - 12:07 am

SLED PUSH GANG

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RedHawkBlackSheep July 28, 2021 - 10:58 am

Hey, boss. Great video, thanks for the advice as always. Do you have any advice on caffeine balance and the importance of sleeping? I’m a personal trainer irl and many of my colleagues push caffeine rich supplements to help with gains, but the stuff ruins the sleep schedule and can lead to caffeine related addiction and headaches. I try to steer away from the stuff, but some assistance would be nice.

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pubcollize August 8, 2021 - 9:13 am

This video really needs to be pinned to the top. Not following the advice of "do nothing on rest days" had caused me more harm than good.

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Jeremiah Kee August 21, 2021 - 8:49 pm

Looked like a tornado ball

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gutspillage September 20, 2021 - 11:13 pm

1:47 for a nuke

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Stefan Kourdov September 26, 2021 - 10:51 am

Jeff, I do not say this often enough because I think you hear it every hour, but your advice is priceless. Thank you for putting out all this content – it has guided me through fixing joint problems, getting leaner, and genuinely enjoying my time at the gym!

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Othman Guerci October 9, 2021 - 10:08 am

I do abs on rest days

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Max Phillips November 5, 2021 - 10:58 pm

Thanks as I've been trying to make rest day activity a little clearer.

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Truth Seeker December 21, 2021 - 5:11 am

you talk more than show.. please show more and talk less, no matter how..

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