How often do you take a week off?

[truthwalker]

After 3-4 months of heavy training 5-6 days a week, I sometimes like to take a full week off from lifting. I feel like it helps my body reset and heal...tweaked a muscle my neck a bit this week, so I'm thinking I'll use next week as my rest week. I don't change my diet at all.

Out of curiosity, does anyone else do this or something similar?

 

[DonQKong]

For me, the week off is non-voluntary - holidays, business travel, getting sick etc keep me out of the gym maybe one week every 2or 3 months. I don't fight it too much - getting a break sets you back a bit on the lifts, but in the mid term, you make it back with rested muscles and better joints.

I had a month off over Christmas! Got sick and cottage life made it difficult. Fucking nightmare to get back, and did it ever set me back ...

 

[Sk8man101]

For me, the week off is non-voluntary - holidays, business travel, getting sick etc keep me out of the gym maybe one week every 2or 3 months. I don't fight it too much - getting a break sets you back a bit on the lifts, but in the mid term, you make it back with rested muscles and better joints.

I had a month off over Christmas! Got sick and cottage life made it difficult. Fucking nightmare to get back, and did it ever set me back ...

+1

 

[MindlessWork]

I generally take 1 week off every 3 or 4 months of training. During this sell as period I do mostly cardio.

 

[Mr. Magnificent]

Yeah, if I feel tired or my body is aching I usually take some days off. But only when I'm off-cycle.

On-cycle I go beast-mode, training and diet is priority nr 1! I even skipped my grandfathers funeral to work out.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I take a one week deload every two or three months.

 

[Sk8man101]

I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one that takes a short break every once in a while.
I feel like much less of a pussy, thanks guys.

 

[RingMeister01]

Usually when I pull or hurt something. I'm learning that your body def needs sometime off or you'll push yourself to the point of injury.

I feel guilty taking over but I'm always glad I did when I come back.

 

[MindlessWork]

Usually when I pull or hurt something. I'm learning that your body def needs sometime off or you'll push yourself to the point of injury.

I feel guilty taking over but I'm always glad I did when I come back.

I've taken a forced deload before because of sickness.

 

[DedLift]

Im 38 and my drive is nowhere near what it was when i was younger. I used to do 6 days on, Sundays off. Now, I listen to my body more and my split is a 4 or 5 day one. If i feel exhausted , ill take a break for a few days. After Christmas this year i got just plain burned out and took a few months off. Sometimes that happens and when i start chomping at the bit to get back in the gym, i know breaktime is over and can start again with a better state of mind a well rested body.

 

[MisterSuperGod]

Usually when I pull or hurt something. I'm learning that your body def needs sometime off or you'll push yourself to the point of injury.

I feel guilty taking over but I'm always glad I did when I come back.

Pretty much what i was going to say.
Took nine days off due to injury just a little while back.

Felt guilty but it was unavoidable.
Man it felt good to get back.

 

[truthwalker]

Pretty much what i was going to say.
Took nine days off due to injury just a little while back.

Felt guilty but it was unavoidable.
Man it felt good to get back.

Yeah I feel you. Injured my shoulder early in 2016 and had to take 3 weeks off...coming back was a bitch. But that 3 weeks helped me get everything sorted out big time.

When taking a week off by choice, what does everyone do as far as diet goes? I keep mine the same for fear of losing too much muscle, and losing fat isn't terribly hard fo me.

 

[MindlessWork]

Yeah I feel you. Injured my shoulder early in 2016 and had to take 3 weeks off...coming back was a bitch. But that 3 weeks helped me get everything sorted out big time.

When taking a week off by choice, what does everyone do as far as diet goes? I keep mine the same for fear of losing too much muscle, and losing fat isn't terribly hard fo me.

When I take time off I'd adjust my diet a bit to allow for reduced activity. I could not do much on arm days now due to a strained left bicep, but I do whatever exercises that don't impact the biceps. However not being able to bench is the killer.

 

[DonQKong]

However not being able to bench is the killer.

Can you not "shove it" instead of benching bro? @TRT says it works ...

 

[Devil3]

Can you not "shove it" instead of benching bro? @TRT says it works ...

Shove it? Plz explain. I'm currently training with a minor pec strain lol.

 

[DonQKong]

Shove it? Plz explain. I'm currently training with a minor pec strain lol.

I was intrigued when I heard about shoving it myself. Appearantly, everybody does it these days.

Just last night as I was curling in the squat rack, I'm sure I heard someone saying "shove it".

@TRT will explain, he shoves it a lot

 

[Devil3]

I was intrigued when I heard about shoving it myself. Appearantly, everybody does it these days.

Just last night as I was curling in the squat rack, I'm sure I heard someone saying "shove it".

@TRT will explain, he shoves it a lot

I thought you had a remedy Lol

 

[MisterSuperGod]

I was intrigued when I heard about shoving it myself. Appearantly, everybody does it these days.

Just last night as I was curling in the squat rack, I'm sure I heard someone saying "shove it".

@TRT will explain, he shoves it a lot

i believe shoving it requires a quick, upward thrusting motion.
Grunting and wincing are permitted during a shove, or so the legend goes...

 

[GeorgeForemanRules]

When I actually trained hard and that was over 15 years ago, I would always take 2 full weeks off about every 5.5 months.

 

[Devil3]

When I actually trained hard and that was over 15 years ago, I would always take 2 full weeks off about every 5.5 months.

2 weeks is great. So is one. I don't believe 2 weeks is long enough to experience any heavy atrophy if your diet is still solid. You'll defientely be good to go after 2 weeks, and your central nerve system will thank you.