Anyone ever take a week or so off from lifting?

[unit321]

I've been lifting for a while now for 4 days a week constantly. Last night I was trying to get through my routine but it seemed like my body was just burned out and I had to cut it short. I'm thinking about just taking one solid week off to let my body recover. Anyone else ever had to do this?

Yes. I used to take a week off twice a year. Six months apart.

 

[Jesus]

or busy / active people

That's implied. Last weeks of a semester I have no time to lift.

 

[Soundwave]

I was thinking about this earlier, and this year I've only taken two weeks off from lifting, and I was overseas both times

It was the first week of April and the last week of October ... other than that, I've been at it hard

 

[USSInsiders]

I've been lifting for a while now for 4 days a week constantly. Last night I was trying to get through my routine but it seemed like my body was just burned out and I had to cut it short. I'm thinking about just taking one solid week off to let my body recover. Anyone else ever had to do this?

Don't wait too long b. Just try deloading. You should always take a deload break every once in a while because it's taxing on your mind as much as it is on your body.

 

[Formerly known as...]

Yeah once every couple of months I need a break physically and mentally! I get to a point where I'm just not feeling the gym, so I take time off!

 

[AJW]

Usually take 2 weeks off a year. One will be for a summer holiday and the other over Christmas. Nice little balance. Apart from that I'll just listen to my body and if I feel like my body needs to recover, I'll take a rest day/s. It's difficult though, anymore than 2 days off and something just messes with my head - I can't seem to relax unless I've smashed the gym.

 

[NSSVO]

Go light, do something. It's easy to rationalize taking a month off man. Do something to keep your body active.

 

[puppetmaster]

I'd have to have some kind of an injury to take a full week off. That's just for myself tho I don't Knock anyone who does it, active recovery keeps me from getting stagnant or jumping off the wagon. I will deload every 8-10 weeks tho. Drop everything down to around 60% if that and drill form for a week.




-P-

 

[BLAZO da GAWD]

I've been on a 2 week break because I just moved back home and haven't signed on with a gym yet.

Going to sign up to somewhere tomorrow though. Can't lose my gains.

 

[Dank Hill]

I've been back on since this past week and now on that ulissess jr high rep routine. That week off worked great for me.

 

[Mandarin Duck]

I usually go 2 days at most, but I'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow so I think I'm gunna need a week to recover. I was thinking I might still do some light cardio and see if I does me good.

 

[Double J]

My only problem is it's so hard to get back in the swing of things after that week off

 

[Exiled Martian]

Yes fam...infact its encouraged to deload (as others have touched on it) for recovery purpose... 8-16 week cycles of linear strength training progression can really takes its toll on your physiology. Everyone is different and also depend son what program you following & other vairable factors. The best advise someone can give you on the matter is to 'listen to your body' when it comes to avoiding injury/overtraining the best indicators are usually throbbing pain in the joints and muscle (not soreness) & irregular muscle prolonged contractions!

 

[Jesus]

I got the elbow area when I go heavy on bicep exercises.

 

[mattlanta]

I don't normally stay on the same workout program for more than 6-8 weeks, so every time I plan on switching to a different program, I usually take week off to rest. Depending on how your body feels, you can even make it an active rest week (stick to running, no lifting). But I agree with what everyone else has mentioned about listening to your body -- if you need the rest, you need the rest.