Breaks

[aphextwin]

We all love to train and some of us might even be over-training. I would like to know how often you take a complete break from working out.

 

[goonstopher]

personally I am an injury waiting to happen at all times. Severely deformed back, shoulder surgery that still lingers a decade later and other pains SO I let my body decide. When something hurts too much then it gets the rest it needs. Sometimes that is as often as every 4th 5th week which sucks but its better than missing over a year with another surgery.

 

[bufflives]

At 37, my body also seems to tell me when it needs a week off. Usually thats around every 4-5 weeks. The pleasant surprise has been how strong and refreshed i am after the break. Ive learned that two weeks off is ok sometimes as well, but three off and im losing some strength.

 

[ScottMcD1]

I blast/cruise with DC style training so breaks are fairly regular(every 5-10 weeks).

Being stubborn I've often trained through the cruise and never really got the benefit but this time around forced myself to take a full 7 days off from weights. Then 3 very moderate sessions the second week at about 75% intensity; cardio done daily. Start back the hard training Monday morning.

 

[Stump]

At 48 if my body is aching, stressed or just runned down by the gym or good ole daily stress my body is telling me to chill out so I will take a good week off and enjoy life...usually this happens about 12-14 weeks into a workout.

 

[aphextwin]

I am glad to hear this from other people. I personally took a 2 week break after working out straight for 8 months. I can honestly say that I felt so much better.

 

[matt77]

Although this is extreme, I took around 6 months off from lifting after a back injury that required surgery and it actually made a huge difference! I wouldn't take 6 months off again but I can def. see the benefits of breaks. I still haven't lifted heavy but I am back to the same size in most areas than before the injury without using any gear. The only thing I have used is GHRP-6 100mcg before bed (this is not what caused the growth).

 

[Tom]

i take a week off about every 12 weeks.

 

[richiec]

when you guys take "breaks", is it completely no weights, or light-moderate?

 

[Flex2019]

Right now I'm in the middle of my first 7 day break in over a year. I haven't been anywhere near the gym all week. I love to train and it's not easy to stay away, but I feel great right now and I know by body (not to mention my mind) needs the rest badly. I think rest periods are important and I will definitely incorporate them more, though not necessarily for a full 7 days at a time.

 

[Tom]

when you guys take "breaks", is it completely no weights, or light-moderate?

i stay out of the gym completely.

 

[FRKNHUGE]

from my earlier heavy PL days my joints scream now, so i try to gut it out to 12wk but usually at 6-8wk ill take a few off, i used to just not do anything, but now ill atleast do my cardio
frk

 

[brocksamson]

I do 3 weeks of heavy/intense training with the 4th week being a deload week using abt 50% of my normal weights

 

[Johnny Smiles]

i just recently finnished a 2 month hiatus from the gym and LOVED IT.
feels so good to be back. very motivated and sore

most i have ever missed in about 7 years was a week until this lengthy layoff. i needed it. and it was great.
-JS