Training on cycle vs. off cycle?

[Megadick3000]

How does your training differ when on cycle vs off cycle? Im talking in terms of volume and frequency?

Historically ive always just eliminated my rest days, which means more frequency. However my volume (per workout) generally stays the same. Im wondering if im under utilizing the opportunity though.

Curious how you guys differ your workouts between on and off cycle?

 

[Ryu82]

I might be the odd one out, but my training style does not change.

My progression however does, a lot.

I also find what I might feel is an RPE of 9 off cycle feels like an RPE of 7 on, so I can push a lot harder.

 

[eery]

I might have more volume and/or frequency on higher doses as i can recover better, but it doesnt change very much as long as my calories and sleep stays the same.

 

[Canknucklehead]

Off cycle or cruising I drop the weights and increase the reps. My intensity is still there but I do back off a little bit

 

[Bumpygooch]

Volume is reduced while cruising/cutting. That’s the only change I make.

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Your intensity should not change. The only training change ever really needed, aside from periodic deloads, is adjusting your total weekly volume to whatever your diet, gear, and recovery (rest) support as far as recoverable volume. Accumulating fatigue? Drop volume. Fully recovered? Maybe add a bit.

 

[amindzeye]

Your intensity should not change. The only training change ever really needed, aside from periodic deloads, is adjusting your total weekly volume to whatever your diet, gear, and recovery (rest) support as far as recoverable volume. Accumulating fatigue? Drop volume. Fully recovered? Maybe add a bit.

Do you have a general rule of thumb on what would be considered too much volume for anyone?

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Do you have a general rule of thumb on what would be considered too much volume for anyone?

Very hard to say. It is dependent on a lot of things, especially intensity, and without knowing someone’s relative level of intensity it would be impossible to say. Training to true failure, I think 20 or so sets per week per muscle group is probably the upper end of what’s necessary. Could you do more? Maybe. But in general we should always be after the next step of “minimum effective” after the current progress stops; goes for gear, cals, and training volume, both in dieting and growing.

 

[Chewbacca]

How does your training differ when on cycle vs off cycle? Im talking in terms of volume and frequency?

Historically ive always just eliminated my rest days, which means more frequency. However my volume (per workout) generally stays the same. Im wondering if im under utilizing the opportunity though.

Curious how you guys differ your workouts between on and off cycle?

I think there should be active or competitive cycles where there are large volumes and intensity. And off-season cycles, where both intensity and volumes can decrease in order to support and restore both the body and the central nervous system