How often do you guys take time off from lifting

[Elementality]

Is it a good idea to take a week off from lifting after a certain time? Longer, shorter? Why?

 

[ajaygill]

tell you the truth i take no time off, in my case if i was to take a week off i would just get lazy

 

[Seattleite]

Is it a good idea to take a week off from lifting after a certain time? Longer, shorter? Why?

I have read that it's good to take a week of anywhere between 6-10 weeks (depends on the individual).

 

[BMK792]

after a long program i like to take a week or so off just to refresh and relax

 

[gjohnson5]

Is it a good idea to take a week off from lifting after a certain time? Longer, shorter? Why?

In HST land it's called strategic deconditioning and it's part of the program

 

[OMEGA]

I have another term for taking breaks but YES they are needed

Sports athletes do it, Olympic Athletes do it, and Bodybuilders SHOULD do it

 

[Scotsman]

Contest schedule allowing I take one week off after my 12 week phases I run.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[enigma4dub]

yes, but i do not spend it sitting around . this is called deloading fatigue. super light speed work is my preference. olys, squats, all at less than 50% of maxes. throw in some stretching and core work. usually ill do this for a week or two depending upon how fatigued i am.

 

[artificialaspirations]

I'm doing it right now and am at the end of two weeks. I feel pretty lazy but my joints (especially right shoulder) needed some time off. Can't wait to get back.

 

[bigdave2628]

I always take a week off every 4 months, to rest and relax. This is what works for me.

 

[skyflyer231]

I'd really like this thread to end in a decisive answer of what is best. Because everyone seems to have a differing opinion on the matter.

Of course we should all be deloading in my opinion. Which means lifting significantly less than normal for about a week. To determine when to do this you should monitor your level of fatigue. You SHOULD start feeling overly fatigued in between 2 and 3 months of a particular phase of your routine. Question is though is taking 'time off' actually needed??? Meaning no lifting whatsoever.

In my opinion it's yes. But maybe like once every six months or a year. For two weeks tops I'd say. I'd go with one most likely though as muscle will start to break down after that from my experience.

 

[enigma4dub]

I'd really like this thread to end in a decisive answer of what is best.

hard to get the masses to agree on what is necessarily best for the individual.

 

[Powerbuilder333]

I let my body dictate when I need time off.
MRSA staph infection = 1 week off.
Gun shot to the shoulder = 1 week off.
1st hernia operation = 3 weeks off.
2nd hernia operation = 3 months off.
Ect.

 

[ceo]

Typically, I have been going 6 weeks very very heavy, lower volume, then I take a week off completely, then 2 weeks at about 60% weight with slightly more volume, then back at it balls to the wall. Works for me.

Problem is, everyone here probably trains a little (or a lot) differently. I can't seem to go more than 6 weeks "on" with the high level of intensity I train at. Some guys can. You can take two different guys and put them on the same routine and one would be able to go at it longer than the other too. Lot of factors go into it. Gotta listen to your body.

 

[Sculelos]

I am just way to easy to over train compared with normal people since I have a huge calorie maintenance and do very physical work 35+hours a week. That combined with heavy lifting and I'm usually toast within 8 weeks. In short I just take off time when I need it but I need it quite a bit it seems.

 

[SwitchMan]

I am taking about 6 weeks off and I am about 2 weeks into it. The best I have physically felt in the last 2 years. We spend all this time perfecting our bodies but never enjoy them. Standing in front of the mirror doesn't count. My joints and lower back feel a 1000% better.