Taking a Break? How often? How long?

[Gladiola]

I know it's good to take some time off from your training occasionally, but how often & for how long?

I haven't had more than maybe 4 or 5 consecutive days off in about 1.5 years (when I had my tonsils taken out & HAD to take 2 weeks totally off).
Of course... I have had some time off from lifting, just not more than 4-5 days off from *exercise* (cardio & yoga/pilates).

 

[Robboe]

Take it when you need it.

a whole week off can actually be more productive then you'd think.

personally, if i haven't had more than 5 days in a row off every 15 or so weeks i usually take them, unless of course my training is going fantastic at the time.

i usually take them when training isn;t going so well. I look to my diet too tho.

 

[Y_lifter]

At least Twice a year I take a week long Vacation and do nothing but relax and maybe a little cardio like walking or stairs if they are available at the hotel where I'm at...

 

[Gladiola]

Take it when you need it.

Problem is - I usually don't feel right when I take time off! I get antsy, I miss it, I start imagining atrophy & growth of fat

I suppose normally vacation would be a time I'd take off, but I haven't had one in 1.5 years. Overdue & was about to plan one, but I'm going to owe a crazy amount in taxes soon - so forget that

I'll stop whining now.

I have seen continual gains, but I just strated training with a partner 2 weeks ago - so that definitely helped increase my lifts - whereas otherwise I might have needed a break. I've also really cut back on cardio - so I don't feel overtrained (even though I might be).

 

[Gladiola]

At least Twice a year I take a week long Vacation

Go ahead, rub it in!



he he, j/k

 

[D00fy]

i took 2months off before prior to me takin off i did 3weeks of fullblown keto,dropped fat/weight like whoa...........REASON==florida had to look somewha good for summer................since in florida i ended up eating alot everyday, chinese food buffets everyday but hardly gained fat/weight I maintained a good weight that made me look lean....came back to NYC i blew up like a balloon whoa was i fat:/ anyway

2MONTHS OFF LIFTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!.came back september adjusted diet........actually gained muscle because of that 2month break,it was a shock to my body felt good

 

[Thaibox]

Problem is - I usually don't feel right when I take time off! I get antsy, I miss it, I start imagining atrophy & growth of fat

That just means you're dedicated. I force myself to take a week off every couple months, and even though it kills me(I feel like I turn soft and lose a ton of weight), I'm always strongest when I return. I've made my last three one rep PRs my first day back from week long breaks.

 

[Jabs]

I like taking a week during december because of all the holidays and gym hours change. Anything over a week I start getting crabby as hell.

 

[b fold the truth]

I take off when I need it. After my contest last weekend...nothing this week at all!!!!

B True

 

[maxellyz]

Rest is very important and to many are afraid to rest, i take 2 days off after training for 4 days, the max i take is 3 days sometimes but not often

 

[Gladiola]

Rest is very important and to many are afraid to rest, i take 2 days off after training for 4 days, the max i take is 3 days sometimes but not often

So you usually do 4 days back to back, 2 days off?

Right now my schedule is:
Mon: Legs
Tue: back & rear delt
Wed: chest & shoulders
Thur: OFF lifting [cardio]
Fri: bi & tri
Sat: OFF totally (I teach a 'sculpt' class that isn't really a w/o for me)
Sun: muscular endurance (another class I teach) & cardio

But there is variance... sometimes I have 3 days off. So I'm talking about maybe taking a WEEK with NO lifting at all.

 

[Robboe]

Problem is - I usually don't feel right when I take time off! I get antsy, I miss it, I start imagining atrophy & growth of fat

it's in your head.

btw, how are you doing with that split?


are you progressing and gaining steadily?

 

[ARN]

I used to workout 5 days a week and take the weekends off. Now I'm doing 3 days on 1 day off and 2 days on 1 day off. So far it's pretty good. I've heard that you're suppose to take a 1-2 week break every 4 months or so.

 

[Gladiola]

it's in your head.

btw, how are you doing with that split?

are you progressing and gaining steadily?

Oh I know it's DEFINITELY all in my head! I should have clarified that "I feel atrophy" - I meant emotionally I feel that way - I know I won't deteriorate that quickly. I just need my fix at the gym as much for my mental health as for my physical health

I had taken some time off from lifting last June & July while focusing on learning this new yoga class I teach. Since August, I was doing 2X per week upper body lifting - lower body training was only muscular endurance (a bar bell class I teach - BodyPump) cuz I feared 'getting big'!

In October or Novermber I added legs - so it was a 3X per week split. 'BodyPump' only 2X per MONTH.

Late Dec or early Jan I wanted to lift more & do less cardio so I changed to the 4 day split. I love it - I have been gaining quite steadily - although I think a rest is in order.

Thanks again

 

[rez]

i took a week 'off'

well...just stuck to cardio FTITM both hi and mod intensity for about an hour each morning...just didnt lift. Now im soooo happy to get back to it this week...looking forward to the pain

 

[BatZgirl]

RE:

Take it when you need it.

a whole week off can actually be more productive then you'd think.

I agree, although not to often, Id say about 1 or 2wice a year depending on how desperate you are for it