Knowing when to have a week off?!?

[Kauto_star]

How often do you guys have 1-2 weeks off?!?

I cant remember the last time i had a week off.

I have trained for about 5 months i think ; without having a week off. I train 5 days per week.

I do feel a bit tired ; and run down at the moment ; and i dont seem to be enjoying the gym ;

I dont know if it is my body telling me ; but on some of my exercises ; i have been losing strength ; even though calories havent changed ; and i seem to be getting some aches and pains.

I just feel bad if i do not train ; but i suppose you have to listen your body?!?

Thanks!?!

 

[aussiebulldog]

a week off every 6-7 weeks,
the most I can stretch it is to 8 weeks.
I am doing DC .

I think you will find Skip's free longevity dvd interesting. he takes a break before he even feel the need ...I believe every fifth week or so.

 

[RINO]

It really is up to you. If your not competing then you really have nothing to lose. It doesn't sound as if you are just being lazy. So why not. Take your break and head back rested and revitalized.

 

[Kauto_star]

Thanks for the replies.

No, definitely not being lazy, i dont think training 5 days per week for 18 weeks, including 10 days on holiday, is lazy

It's just that i feel tired, dont really enjoy the gym at the minute, seem to have a few aches and pains, and seem to be losing strength on some lifts, when i shouldnt be.

 

[swm1972]

I train four days a week and take off two weeks a year. When I go on vacation.

 

[warrenpeace]

Periodic rest periods of 1-2 weeks just make sense. Your body will thank you, and the results in the gym will reward you.

 

[Kauto_star]

Thanks for the replies.

I have been training very hard ; as always.

Think my body is just saying i need a week's rest.

 

[Kauto_star]

Thanks for the replies everyone!?!

I have decided i am going to train later, then have the weekend off, and have until next Friday off!?!

It will work out to be 4 workouts, that i rest from, so hopefully by next Friday, i will feel a bit more recovered!?!

Just had a look ; i have been training nearly 20 weeks ; 5 times per week ; including every day on holiday ; so i think i need a break from training and to rest ; enjoy some food ; and relax ; not that it will be easy!?!

Thanks for the input everyone!?!

 

[triathloncoach]

Weeks off are important. But scheduling in specific easier/recovery weeks is Training 101.

Its impossible to go 100% week after week. Even on gear, which helps tremendously. You may think you are going 100%, but you aint.

Periodization is the key in any kind of training, either resistence or endurance training.

Without it you are constantly overtraining, which causes a breakdown, or chronically undertraining. If you dont need time off you arent training hard enough. You are stuck in the middle.

 

[Kauto_star]

Well ; i feel mentally and physically tired ; have aches ; and generally feel like i need a week off from training ; going to listen to my body for once.

 

[aussiebulldog]

Well ; i feel mentally and physically tired ; have aches ; and generally feel like i need a week off from training ; going to listen to my body for once.

and it will thank you for it.

 

[Sepjuice1]

taking a break once in a while does a body good. if you dont like to miss the gym alot of ppl practice "deload principles" .

u should check it out.