Time off from gym

[Mountolympus]

I know that different coaches advice to stop 1-2 months during the year for a complete recovery and for a boost when u return to train.
Chad nicholls, Rambod I know that use to do this. Which your opinion ? Thanks

 

[romo]

Im sure its refreshing, ligaments and tendons get a rest. But i can only go 3 days without going to the gym. I do not tax my body real hard anymore , so that makes a difference.

 

[traininsane11]

I know that different coaches advice to stop 1-2 months during the year for a complete recovery and for a boost when u return to train.
Chad nicholls, Rambod I know that use to do this. Which your opinion ? Thanks

1-2 months sounds excessive. 99% of us barely make any progress eeking out everything we can for 12 months of the year let alone canning 1-2 months . Maybe if you’re top level and the gym is maintainence more than anything but for the rest of us nah. Odd few days here and there anymore than that you’re just cutting yourself short

 

[d4ve]

Barring severe injury or illness, I can't see how that length of time off is relevant to anyone who's still trying to progress. We can name a few champions (like, Olympia-level) known to do so, but we remember them because they're abnormal. And they weren't getting bigger and better from show to show at that point.

It's sure as hell not going to give you a "boost" when you return to training. You're going to spend the first month or more regaining what you lost, and you'll have to build your work capacity back up to what it was before...technically that does mean you're getting a greater stimulus per session (at first), but that effect will be long gone by the time you're back to baseline.

A week off here and there is a different story, but those smaller lengths of time typically work their way into your life and don't need to be planned - vacations, emergencies, work demands, etc.

Connective tissues do take longer to heal, but if that's the reason you're considering such a long layoff, I'd look at your training as the source of the problem.

 

[gauge22-v2]

I know that different coaches advice to stop 1-2 months during the year for a complete recovery and for a boost when u return to train.
Chad nicholls, Rambod I know that use to do this. Which your opinion ? Thanks

Maybe stop hard cycles, but training? I have never once read this in 30 years.

Plus I think all of us have enjoy the gym and get benefits beyond building 'mo muscles'.

I love working out. How the hell could I stop for 2 months? Thats gross man....

 

[Mountolympus]

I don't use do this but I love read different opinions from other bodybuilders

 

[Vanguards]

I'll take 1 week off when i need a deload week (usually once or twice a year) when I feel my central nervous system is completely taxed and in the gutter.

1-2 months sounds dumb though. It'd be different if you're injured or doing multiple competitions and stressing your body out with the constant dieting and drug protocols, but you're not.

You sleep 1/3rd of your life and you think you can take two months off? Get your ass in the gym OP

 

[pesty4077]

Taking off 1 week every 3 months would be enough.

 

[alfresco]

Taking off 1 week every 3 months would be enough.

That is what I would do. I gave blood at that interval and took a week off after doing so. That was my schedule.

 

[bbxtreme]

I think a lot of guys confuse what they meant by that. Time off from the gym or training meant not going in everyday and hitting things 110%.

Most top guys are right back in the gym as the rebound is the most valuable time for any competitor. It’s the level they push that changes.

A de-load or a few days off a year on vacation is all I’ll ever do. Taking two months out of the gym would be a major set back for me and most IMO.

 

[Mufasa123]

Insane recommendation for complete time off (baring injury). Hell, I tore my pec, looked like a panda with black splotches on me, took 4 weeks off and then got back at it (lower body carefully and rehab for upper until I can build back again)

There are other ways to recuperate - and better or less damaging ones: lower total volume, decrease frequency (lowers weekly volume), lower intensity (% of 1RM ie lift lighter weights) - frequently applied in combination (though lower volume/high intensity is for peaking just to note).

For a nice mental break I like to focus on core lifts, but nothing super heavy, moderate volume, and reduced frequency. This is more a maintenance phase and inside there I can prioritize other aspects of training whether that's cardio, skill specific, or screw it - work hard on a hobby, learn to play an instrument, push hard on career or other life aspect.

Toggling on/off 100% or 0% for long periods is a simplistic and generally shit approach to anything in life that you actually care about. That said a nice vacation can be earned, warranted and helpful.

 

[TheOtherOne55]

This feeeels like a 90's question doesnt it?

I dont know one huge guy who takes "time off" from the gym. Most of us find it incredibly HARD to do that let alone choosing to do this. We also know a shit ton about our bodies, training principles and hormones since these ideas were floating around. Because guys used to COME OFF too. Come off? Then leave the gym? Do you waaant to make progress? lol

Yeah we saw guys in the 90's and early 2000's do this but we only saw the 1% genetic anomalies do this, assuming EVERYONE can do it and react the same way. Ronnie, Flex and Paul Dillet could take 3 months off and grow from pushing a lawnmower. We are NOT the same. I can understand some deload principles but even then, the body is resilient.

 

[KrAven]

I have to force myself to take time off usually. Rest days are recovery and growing days but it’s hard for me. I always do though!

I always look at it like this, if I train arms Monday and again Saturday that’s 4 days off from that body part. Fully recovered

 

[buck]

"The top coaches" also are dealing with athletes that have been on a ton of drugs and severally stressing themselves out getting in shape for major competitions. I personally don't compare myself to those guys when deciding what i should do.

 

[madg]

1 week deload
1 week off

Is enough imo

 

[bbxtreme]

This feeeels like a 90's question doesnt it?

I dont know one huge guy who takes "time off" from the gym. Most of us find it incredibly HARD to do that let alone choosing to do this. We also know a shit ton about our bodies, training principles and hormones since these ideas were floating around. Because guys used to COME OFF too. Come off? Then leave the gym? Do you waaant to make progress? lol

Yeah we saw guys in the 90's and early 2000's do this but we only saw the 1% genetic anomalies do this, assuming EVERYONE can do it and react the same way. Ronnie, Flex and Paul Dillet could take 3 months off and grow from pushing a lawnmower. We are NOT the same. I can understand some deload principles but even then, the body is resilient.

I feel like I would look like Paul Dillet now if I took three months off from the gym. LOL

 

[Mufasa123]

I feel like I would look like Paul Dillet now if I took three months off from the gym. LOL

View attachment 209190

Holy shit. Mind is spinning looking at this. I remember him well from the 1990s and haven't seen anything since. He was an absolute monster.

 

[SAVAGEPMHNP]

Usually when I'm feeling overworked/fatigued I just take one day off, but do that same muscle group the following day so it pushes all my muscle groups back a day. That's what my coach advised and it works pretty well for me!

 

[dantes]

Maybe stop hard cycles, but training? I have never once read this in 30 years.

Plus I think all of us have enjoy the gym and get benefits beyond building 'mo muscles'.

I love working out. How the hell could I stop for 2 months? Thats gross man....

A lot of Olympic lifters take a few months off per year. For bodybuilding I don’t think it is necessary or helpful. Maybe one month tops if you really need it

 

[Bigpoppaseth]

They might ease back on the training and ease off on the cycles but to take that much time off and not be in the genetic elite . You would be setting yourself up for failure if you’re taking bodybuilding seriously. Unless something is seriously wrong .