I feel like a bit of moron.

No one had commented on this blog for a long time. Then today I notice that the comment notification emails were being sent to an invalid email address [sigh]. Thanks to those who have commented on past postings over the last month or two - I only just got them now!

Now to the subject of this post. What is the best recovery time for you as an individual? I've come to believe this is a very personal thing. By recovery time I mean the length of time that you are not working out.

In a typical bodybuilder routine they talk about 3, 4, or 5 day splits. On a 3 day routine you are working out on 3 days and resting for 4.

A Crossfit routine (workout of the day) is 3 days on followed by 1 day rest.

Recently I've started taking bigger breaks between workouts. Maybe it's lazyness. Maybe it's because I'm actually chopping and hauling firewood instead of having planned workouts.

Either way I noticed an interesting thing. When it comes to bodyweight dips (no added weights) I can generally only get out about 20 in one hit.

The other day - after not working my chest for well over 10 days - I got on the dip bars and banged out 28 dips - the most ever.

Obviously it depends on your workout load - and I've discovered that - for me - workouts with deadlifts need the longest recovery time. Then there are a myriad of other variables - including nutrition and quality sleep.

How in tune with your body are you? Can you identify your optimal recovery and rest time?