Active recovery refers to low-intensity movement performed on rest days to promote blood flow, reduce muscle stiffness, and support the body’s natural repair processes without adding additional training stress. Examples include a light walk, easy cycling, yoga, swimming, or a gentle stretching and mobility session. Unlike passive rest where you simply do nothing, active recovery keeps your body moving in a way that speeds up the clearance of metabolic waste products that accumulate during intense training. For most people who are training three or more days per week, incorporating at least one or two active recovery days is a smart and practical way to feel better and maintain consistency without overloading the system.