How often do you guys take a week off gym?

[RickRock13]

About twice a year, I take 5-7 days off from the gym. Usually the week before I will do a deload week too. This usually sparks a lot of growth and strength gains when I come back, so there is benefit for me.

I'm actually in the middle of my deload week right now....taking 5 days off next week, then starting my cycle fresh and fully ready to kill it!

 

[mattrag]

I tend to cycle volume more. Most days I will workout around 4 days a week of weights with 1-2 days of cardio/sports, then I'll flip the two and do a cycle of 2 short strength days (think a 5x5 style workout one day, then a weight lifting styles the next) and 4 days of sports)

 

[tryna get hench]

Alot of different opinions on here its great to see different peoples thoughts on this subject. Maybe il try deload weeks instead of taking the whole week off. Ive had exams all this week which has resulted in me missing two days of gym so I figured id just take the whole week off and come back refreshed on monday. But i might go 3 days this week and just do a deload working all my body parts split into 3 days. chest/shoulders/bis - back/tris - legs/abs

 

[zipzopzippity]

Unfortunately, we all probably lift too much in a year. I know that once I hit a pleateu, if I took literally an entire month off lifting (still keeping active through various bodyweight resistance activities) when I come back I would be slightly weaker, but then a month later id break the plateu from two months earlier.

Unintentionally, I've had to take time off from the gym like this, and I always come back weaker, but then I make huge gains very fast and end up stronger than before. Problem is, I can't force myself to stay out of the gym, so I have to wait for real life to f me in the azz in someway that keeps me away from the gym for a bit.

 

[zipzopzippity]

Unfortunately, we all probably lift too much in a year. I know that once I hit a pleateu, if I took literally an entire month off lifting (still keeping active through various bodyweight resistance activities) when I come back I would be slightly weaker, but then a month later id break the plateu from two months earlier.

Unintentionally, I've had to take time off from the gym like this, and I always come back weaker, but then I make huge gains very fast and end up stronger than before. Problem is, I can't force myself to stay out of the gym, so I have to wait for real life to f me in the azz in someway that keeps me away from the gym for a bit.

 

[tryna get hench]

Unfortunately, we all probably lift too much in a year. I know that once I hit a pleateu, if I took literally an entire month off lifting (still keeping active through various bodyweight resistance activities) when I come back I would be slightly weaker, but then a month later id break the plateu from two months earlier.

Unintentionally, I've had to take time off from the gym like this, and I always come back weaker, but then I make huge gains very fast and end up stronger than before. Problem is, I can't force myself to stay out of the gym, so I have to wait for real life to f me in the azz in someway that keeps me away from the gym for a bit.

The exact same thing happens to me. Come back and break pleateu within a month it unexplainable lol. Only thing I can think of is your body gets so used to lifting that the same effect isnt present anymore so you have to take time off in order to fully recover and once you go up ur bodys is ready to get bigger and stronger than before

 

[themondtster]

I've read several articles that after 5 days your body will start to loose muscle from lack of stimulation because your body wants to find a balance that's easy to maintain. A short week once a year was suggested...preferably during the winter holidays. Other than that 48-60 hours at most.

 

[joeblow12345]

The only time I stay out of the gym is 3 days before a meet. But the week before and after I deload. If I am beat up in a training cycle I will deload for a couple training sessions. The rest of the time its balls to the wall.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using EliteFitness

 

[the_alcatraz]

After every major arm wrestling competition, I take about a week off.

 

[b fold the truth]

ONLY when forced to. Vacations, sickness, etc... Taking a week off (unless recovering from something severe...like being sick or a competition) is a great way to become unconditioned.