how often do you take scheduled breaks from training?

[audiophyle]

How often do you guys take breaks from training and how long do you break for? I've been exhausted for about the last 2 weeks and i'm getting 8 hours+ sleep per night. I think it might be time for a small break from training.

 

[tuc biscuit]

If I was just tired then first I would look at nutrient intake, hydration levels and training volume first. I tend to have a break when I lose motivation and feel like I'm going through the motions rather than tearing it up in the gym. Three or four days is often enough of a break for me, but some people like to take two or three weeks sometimes.

 

[audiophyle]

My nutrition and water intake is spot on. I get enough protein and carbs and moderate fat. I drink around 1-1.5 gallons of water/day. maybe i'm overtraining??

 

[tuc biscuit]

Perhaps you are, but it's impossible to say to someone over the internet. Why don't you take a week off and spend all the time that you would have been in the gym, resarching and drawing up a killer plan for your big return. All that thinking of the gym whilst not being able to go there will give you a great urge to get really stuck back in when you do go back. Not to mention better energy levels. BTW this is just in my opinion, others may say different, I'd be interested to see, cos sometimes I have the same problem.

 

[jerkbox]

i usually take 5-7 days off every 2 or 3 months. In fact yesterday was my first workout coming off a 6 day break.

does the body good

 

[audiophyle]

One last question then. Is it worth it to take a break if i'm still making strength gains? Or should a break be used only to give you're body a jump start once you've hit a plateau?

 

[jerkbox]

if you are feeling exhausted, I would take a break....soemtimes i just know when my body needs a break

 

[st8k_lover]

I have been working out for 4 months now and in that time, I have taken two 2 week breaks( first was for birth of son, second was out of town business). In both cases I came back to the weights with renewed interest and desire. I felt better and I actually was able to lift a little more than I could before the breaks. Like Jerkbox said " does the body good"

Peace

 

[HollywoodSwole]

Yeah, if you feel like you need a break, you probably do. I felt like I hit a virtual "wall" sunday night in the gym, and so I took the next 3 days off for the first time in a few months. Today was my first day back, and I was fired up for my workout.

Although if you're just tired, and not lacking motivation, it could be your diet. From what you say it appears sound, but if you've been doing it for awhile, a change may be in order to keep your body guessing.

Just my $.02

 

[AGP]

8 weeks on, on week off. been doing it for a year now.. that week off really helps after tearing my body up lifting 5x5 and playing hoops all week.

T

PS - Still gotta eat right on the week off

 

[Shark01]

I take 10 days off every 8 weeks.

 

[casualbb]

10-14 days off every 8-10 weeks.

 

[JollyRogers]

Im chilling right now too, Im really torn up right now, I have been going heavy for a month, I took off 7 days, hit my Monday Bench & tri workout on Wensday..yesterday and I feel worse, I think I need more rest, Im gonna take off another week

 

[Mildot]

In the fall/winter months I take one week off every 5 weeks, because my job is very stressful in the fall/winter, and I need to take a break that often just to stay healthy.
In the spring/summer months, I just go until I feel like I'm starting to burn out, and then I get out from under the weights for 1 full week. I'm taking a week off right now, as we speak.
I tend to get sick if I don't take breaks when my body wants them.
I also train heavy all year long, which I find leaves very little room for error when it comes to breaks/rest. Deadlifting 5/4/4/3/2 rep sets when my body is already on the brink of exhaustion will fuck me up in no time.