OK to not take a day off?

[matto18]

i've been using weightlifting for the past year as almost a form of anxiety relief for me. it helps me keep my sanity when i'm all stressed out. and over time its almost become an addiction. i seriously can't stand to take a day off from the gym. would this seriously hinder my gains (from overtraining)? i have my routine setup in a 4-day split (chest and tris; back and bis; shoulders; legs). can i get away with this and still make gains? i was thinking that if i use creatine and glutamine (and get plenty of sleep) than i should be fine. what do you guys think?

 

[big4life]

You still need time for your muscles to recover. Find another way to blow off your stress, and try to fix whatever is causing you so moch stress.

 

[matto18]

You still need time for your muscles to recover. Find another way to blow off your stress, and try to fix whatever is causing you so moch stress.

i've been trying to fix that problem for years and i've only been able to barely control it. lifting everyday did more for me than all the antidepressants in the world combined. i just hope i can continue to do it somehow. should i just throw in a cardio day as well to make it a five-day split? would that work? btw i'm 20 years old so my test levels are most likely fairly high right now. would that help me get away with this routine?

 

[wannabebig1]

Bad idea to not take a day off. your body grows when it is resting not training. you are gonna overtrain and hit a plateau...

why not try hitting the heavy bag that is a huge stress reliever plus there is resistance involved.

 

[big4life]

i've been trying to fix that problem for years and i've only been able to barely control it. lifting everyday did more for me than all the antidepressants in the world combined. i just hope i can continue to do it somehow. should i just throw in a cardio day as well to make it a five-day split? would that work? btw i'm 20 years old so my test levels are most likely fairly high right now. would that help me get away with this routine?

Cardio is still going to tax your body, and it's not as good as just taking a day off. Find something that will get your mind off of whatever is causing you stress. Find something that relaxes you. It can be anything, meditating, music, reading, nature, almost anything. For me it's the ocean. I know that you might not live close enough to the ocean to do that, but the idea is the same. Just to get away from your problems for a while. They might still be there when you get back, but once you have taken a break and refreshed yourself, you will be surprised at how well you can deal with them.

 

[NYBodyguard]

I think its very important, even the pros take a day off and im sure they love workin out as well.

 

[matto18]

thanks guys. the advice was much appreciated. now i just need to find something to do.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Find something you love to do. There are so many things, and it may take awhile, but once you find it you'll be glad you did. You'll overtrain without a rest day. I know how it is man, it sucks. If you want, setup your split so you only have to take off one day at a time...unless you do that already.

 

[matto18]

i'm thinking about trying to go 4 days on, 1 day off, and keep following that pattern. think that would be enough rest?

 

[chewyxrage]

i like 3 rest days a week but i can see that prolly wouldnt work for you.

if you are only resting 2 days out of every 10 workout days you might want to try lowering volume a bit.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

It depends on your own recovery ability. How long have you been workin' out? You should be able to guage your own recovery ability pretty well if it's been over 2 years.

 

[matto18]

i've been working out well over 2 years easily. my volume isn't too high during my workouts either. 12 sets. and i have been making gains still. maybe i should wait to change if i plateau

 

[Tom Treutlein]

Yeah, if it's working, don't change it.

 

[Assertive Guy]

i've been working out well over 2 years easily. my volume isn't too high during my workouts either. 12 sets. and i have been making gains still. maybe i should wait to change if i plateau

Sounds good. Maybe you could buy a Playstation for your day off?? Or some good porn hehe!! How about spending all that training time on your day off just reading about supplements/training routines etc etc on the net??

 

[matto18]

i spend too much time on EF anyway. and i can't afford a playstation (and it wouldn't relieve my stress in the first place). i need a good high quality blow-up doll with a realistic pussy.

 

[anthrax]

If you don't feel tired, if you've fully recovered from your last session, if you're still motivated and if you sleep well there is no reason to change your routine