Sleep is a powerful tool when it comes to getting and staying fit. The benefit sleep provides to the workout session is incredible. When it comes to getting the best sleep to maximize workouts, you need background knowledge on the basics of sleep and the impacts it has upon muscle repair and regeneration.

Scientists have termed the two main types of sleep that we experience as: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and Non Rapid Eye Movement (NREM). We’re in the REM stage of sleep for about 25% of the time; however, it’s the NREM stage that mostly affects our training and workout routines. That is, NREM has four types of sleep. The first two stages are where we go into light sleep, whilst it’s the last two that provides us with the deep sleep we need to repair and regenerate. NREM occurs about 75% of the time.

Sleep as a Tool to Maximize Fitness

• Muscle Repair & Regeneration. Growth hormone is actually produced and secreted during the deep sleep stage of the NREM period. This is what helps our muscles to recover from hard workout sessions. It also helps with building muscle.

• Deep Sleep. For a normal, average sleep, we’ll be in deep sleep for about one tenth of the time. For those of us who are undertaking concentrated workouts or training, we can be in the deep sleep stage for approximately 30% of the time.

• Timing. Deep sleep mainly occurs at the beginning of your sleep. However, to get the full benefits from it, you must achieve constant sleep during this time. Any disturbances or delays in getting to sleep can negate the advantages you receive.

• Workout Performance. We all know how we feel the next day when we don’t get enough sleep or it’s of poor quality. It often impacts our workouts and we don’t get the full benefits. Scientists have found that not enough REM sleep causes us to feel like we’re working harder in our training sessions than we really are, greatly affecting our performance.

There’s no doubt that getting the correct amount and type of sleep is crucial for a good workout. But, it also helps to repair and grow our bodies and recover from the workout we did that day. Good sleep is vital for improving our fitness levels when working out in Palmdale at Premium Fitness. Without it, you won’t achieve the full benefits of exercising at Premium Fitness.