It’s likely that you’re already measuring some aspects of your physical readiness, even if you’re not aware of it. If you’ve ever skipped an evening HIIT class because you’re just too tired – congratulations; you’ve taken note of your physical readiness.

And it’s not about making excuses not to work out (besides, being huge fans of rest and recovery, we would never berate anyone for taking a break). Instead, it’s about not pushing yourself when you’re not best equipped for exercise - so that you can make the most of working out when you are ready. Training smarter, not harder, if you like.

Some physical readiness considerations are obvious – it’s best not to work out if you’re ill or injured, for example. But there are other factors affecting physical readiness that you may not have thought about. Let’s take a look.

Stress

It’s well known that exercise is a natural stress reliever and can be a powerful tool in helping people with a range of mental health issues, from anxiety to depression.

However, being chronically stressed leads to high levels of our stress hormone, cortisol. Any kind of high-intensity exercise also causes cortisol levels to rise, and studies show that prolonged exposure to raised cortisol can in fact contribute to mental health conditions, along with affecting sleep quality and duration – an essential component of workout recovery.

The takeaway? If you’re not super stressed out, go right ahead and enjoy your sweat session, safe in the knowledge that it’s benefitting your mental and your physical health. But if you’re dealing with chronic, long-term stress, you should also be making rest a top priority.

Sleep

An active lifestyle can really help us catch those all-important Zs, but let’s face it – most of us don’t get a regular, solid eight hours.

It’s important to be honest with yourself here: are you exhausted? If so, an early night is going to be better for your body than going full-pelt in the gym. But a walk with friends or a pilates class might be just the ticket until you’re better rested.

Remember: rest and recovery play just as important a role in any effective exercise regime as the workouts themselves.

Why ‘physical readiness’ is the fitness metric we should all be paying more attention to