Hit a Wall, these are my options

[gonelifting]

Actually just slowed down my pogress and strength gains ALMOST to a halt. I`m feeling joint pain etc. so I think it`s time to change it up after about 6 weeks of heavy 5 rep range all lifts adding weight every workout of basic movements.

#1 take a week off. I REALLY don`t want to do this because I`m feeling really good otherwise.

#2 change reps to 10 - 12 or 15 on all the excercises, but same exercises

#3 change reps as above but also change exercises to NON compound

#4 Combo of#2 and #3

#5 Change the # of times per week I train each muscle (almostlike HST Now I do 1 X per week. and then drop the weights and raise reps like above.


Either way I`m gonna start this Monday because I can`t keep up the intensity for the 5 reps and heavy weight. any thoughts welcome.

 

[IronLion]

Take a week off and eat and sleep and rest. Give your nervous system a rest then hit the gym intense again to shock it.

 

[BigBadBootyDaddy29]

Yeah, I agree with Iron Lion, take a week off and recharge. I wouldn't change to non-compound movements, and unless you're a bodybuilder (I don't know if you are), there is really nothing to gain from a 12-15 rep range.

 

[IronLion]

even if you are a bb you would still benefit most from listening to you body, which is obviously telling you it needs rest to grow

 

[gonelifting]

Not a BB. Just making good gains now and Really don`t want to stop and was thinking the 10 -15 reps would be sort of a rest and have some blood flow to the muscles like an active recovery type thing.

No matter wht I do I WILL DEFINATELY reduce intensity and/or stop altogether. thanks guys

 

[IronLion]

if you want, go ahead and do some active recovery work, but try to make it fun, i.e. raquetball, boxing, swimming ect.

 

[T-Rage]

I'm all for taking a week off. Then start back up in the 10 - 12 reps range for a couple of weeks for tendon and ligament health. Your joints need a rest that's for sure. Then work back into your intense program.

 

[slinky]

Sign me up for the "take a week off" party.

Definitely do that.

 

[gonelifting]

DAMN... people, you talked me into it. I will take a week off but MAYBE I`ll fool around with legs because first of all they were WAY under stimulated and I JUST GOT MY POWER RACK.YES!!! Squats here we go.

I may do 2 light leg workouts during the week for squat form and stuff. (break in the rack, lol)
Let me tell you though, this week is gonna take forever without lifting. Thanks ALL, again

 

[IronLion]

Eat and rest, those are your lifts

 

[bigstve12]

its hard to take a week off, but youll feel a lot better when you get back into it

 

[gonelifting]

I`m going to back off on the calories a little but what about cardio? should I keep doing it?