How long should I take a break from training?

[HardHat87]

Hi, I was wondering how many of you take a week or longer break from training. I have been sick and been off for 1.5 weeks. Starting to feel a little better but I am wondering if I have lost some of my strength. Your replies are welcome!

 

[gymtime]

I take a week off every four or five months or so. It actually usually amounts to five days or so. Some will say to do it every three months.

For me, I find myself coming back stronger, almost without fail. Others don't. But it's a very necessary thing to do. Any strength losses will come back quickly.

 

[jnevin]

I tend to grow after a break. Sadly, I haven't hit it for around 4 months now, so the growth is different than usual. If you lose some strength, just stay positive. It'll give you something to do. I have a lot to do.

 

[BOOEY]

Tomorrow will be Day 1 of "No Going to the Gym". It sucks, but its a necessity. I plan on resting up for 6-7 days, keeping the cals @ maintanence.

 

[HardHat87]

Thanks guys, I haven't had a break for 9 months so I think I will take a full 2 week break. I feel better now but not 100%, still a little sick. I am still eating the same amount of food (3500-4000 cal) and havn't gained any excess fat. I have been taking glutamine to make sure there is no muscle loss. I am probably paranoid, but it wont hurt.

 

[BOOEY]

Glutamine is a waste of money. As long as you aren't in a starving state and/or excessively demanding too much from your body, you won't lose muscle

 

[super_rice]

i think you should take as need to. there is no real set time, listen to your body and it will tell you what it needs. eat, sleep, and just chill out for a while. i used to take these 1 week breaks every once in a while, but keep getting burned out.

i then stopped for the volleyball season, and now that i've come back 3.5 months later i feel better than ever (gives my tendons a rest too, jesus christ all that hardcourt and constant plyo feeling) and am gaining quickly.

i'm not saying go take 3 and a bit months off, but i mean, take as much time as you need, in fact, take a little bit more because it's not like you're on a time limit. think of it as recharging those batteries, you will come back stronger than ever (not at first though haha).

 

[curgeo]

Honestly....as a powerlifter I take no time off. You need at least 2 heavy resistance workouts a week to MAINTAIN strength. Muscle size is something that takes a little longer to lose as the de-adaptation period is longer.

Check out "The Science and Practice of Strength Training" for more information on strength. It's by Zatsiorsky.