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Sleep & Recovery: The Most Overlooked Piece of the Puzzle

You can train hard and eat clean… but if your sleep suffers, your results will too.
Sleep
Sleep
By Conor Aldridge, Senior Trainer at Engadine published April 28, 2025

We see it all the time — clients giving 100% in their sessions, staying on top of their food, and doing everything “right”… but still feeling flat, sore, or stuck. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re probably just running on an empty battery.


Sleep is where the magic happens. It’s when your body repairs muscle, burns fat, resets your hormones, and clears your mind. Skip this part of the process, and you’re dragging yourself through the week wondering why it’s all feeling harder than it should.

Why Sleep Matters for Recovery
During deep sleep (slow-wave sleep), your body releases growth hormone — which helps with muscle repair, fat loss, and general recovery. This stage of sleep is essential for bouncing back from tough training sessions. REM sleep, on the other hand, supports brain function, coordination, and memory. It’s what helps you move better and stay motivated. If your sleep is poor, everything suffers — including your training, your mood, and your willpower around food.
 

3 Ways to Improve Sleep and Recovery


1.    Get Your Body Clock in Rhythm
Your body runs on a natural timer (your circadian rhythm). Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your hormones and energy. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep per night. Build the habit, and you’ll feel the difference.


2.    Protect Your Deep & REM Sleep
Phones, late caffeine, alcohol — all of them disrupt the most important parts of your sleep. Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet. Switch off screens 30–60 minutes before bed to support deeper, more restorative sleep.


3.    Create a Wind-Down Routine
Just like you warm up for training, your body needs a cool-down for sleep. Try light stretching, a warm shower, or reading a book. Even 10–15 minutes of calm can signal to your body that it’s time to rest and recover.

Final Thoughts
Sleep isn’t a luxury — it’s a tool. One that can boost fat loss, improve strength, clear your mind, and speed up recovery.
What’s one small change you’ll make this week to improve your sleep? If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to one of our expert trainers. We’re here to help you unlock your full potential — in and out of the studio.

Are you our next success story?

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