How Often Do YOU Take a Break From the Gym?

[Irie]

Warning: This post is actually about working out.


How often do you ladies and gentlemen take off from the gym and what is the duration of your break usually?

My Split
M - Legs, calves
T - Chest
W - off
T - Back, abs
F - Arms one week, Shoulders the next, calves

So yesterday I decided to do the following workout and take 7 days off, this 7 days is a huge step for me because "taking off" is usually not an option but I feel very confident and happy with my decision because it is needed. I plan on coming back stronger and even more ready to do damage to the iron. I changed my diet last Sunday by increasing the calories by 1500, so the change of diet plus this layoff should be great.

Yesterday's workout
Front Squats - 1 all out set, 315 for 15 reps
Incline Dumbbell Press - 1 all out set 130's for 12 slow reps
Bent Over Rows - 1 all out set 315 for 8 reps (w/straps)
Standing Lateral Raises - 1 all out set 40lb dumbbells for 20 reps
Standing Calf Raises - 3 sets of 15 with the stack

So I performed 1 set per bodypart (minus arms) all out and feel good to go for a weeks rest.

 

[strangebrew]

I was taking a week off every 2 months, just to let my body recover. I have too many goals at the moment though, so its gonna be a while before I take another break.

 

[lucidblue]

Usually only take a whole week off if I go on vacation. I know I should probably take a break more often, but I find I can't sleep if I don't go to the gym.

 

[FatRat]

Yes, I find three months or just over works well for me for a complete break, although I will probably put a "cruise" week within the middle of that period as well. My next week off is planned for 2 weeks time and I'm kind of looking forward!

 

[supersizeme]

i do this about once every 2-3 months, but i always come back weaker and it takes me two full weeks to get back to where i was. i suppose it's good for my joints, but i hate the step backwards in strength progress. i also miss the pumps that last throughout the week. for me it's harder to be 100% on the diet when the other half is missing. but i think ozone would agree when i tell you, "dum dada doe doe doe, dum dada doe doe doe."

 

[Imakarum_Mirabilis]

I take two days off a week. Well, yesterday I skipped one of those days.

That's all.

I'd rather deload than take time off. Time off is more often detrimental to maintaining one's level of skill.

 

[NoDaddyNo]

I've taken off 4 months so far. Not going to the gym is far easier than going and doing stuff. So far I don't have any muscle pulls or strains, and my size and strength appear to be way down.
I'm also only eating about 1500 calories everyday instead of as close to 5000 as I could get. Oddly, I seem to be losing weight.

 

[rjl296]

i dont take time off.
i do deload every 5 weeks.

 

[Mengy]

I just came off of a break, last night was my first time lifting in two weeks. I usually take a week or two off every 3 or 4 months, sometimes sooner if my body feels too abused. When I start up again I lift light/high reps for a week, then I gradually build up to where I left off. I'm usually back to where I was within 3-4 weeks.

I'm 31 years old, I've discovered that I have to do this or my body makes me do it in a not so pleasant way.

 

[AAP]

Whenever I feel like it.

I don't train for months and months without missing a week. I usually miss 4-7 consecute days each month. Most of the people I know of that compete do this as well.

You have to stop worrying about training and simply do it. What comes, comes, your body is not a schedule like classes or trains. It is used to irregular stress and growth spurts. I would venture to say that calculated stress (consistently planned training times and days) will put you in a rut quicker than anything.

My "routine" is :

Hamstrings
Chest Biceps
Back - every ten days otherwise this is a rest day
Shoulders Triceps
Quads
rest day
back to Hamstrings and start over.

Sometimes I take extra rest days when forced to for work obligations or other things. But this is the basic format. This format takes 5 days to complete, though it often takes me 7-8 days to finish the "routine".


This is how I trained lately : (due to hectic traveling during the early hours and work activities)

Mon - Triceps
Tues - off
Wed - Chest (was suppose to train biceps too, but skipped them)
Thursday - off
Friday Quads, hamstrings
Sat - Shoulders (was supposed to be back day)
Sun - Off
MOn -Back - to try out those new straps - hint, hint give me some more.... was suppose to be my off day, threw in light hams
Today - Triceps and biceps
Wed (tommorrow) - will be Quads