Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 382, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

Join group

Rest Week

atlboi
atlboi
Posts: 80
Joined: 2002/10/16
United States
2002/12/06, 03:44 PM
Just curious.. how often do you guys take a week away from the gym. I started working out March '2002 and did not take my week until Thanksgiving Week (only because I was out of town). I finally got back in the gym yesterday and was shocked to find I could not get up 195lbs on the vertical bench anymore. I guess my body has to get re-adjusted to the stress. How often should I get away from the gym for say a week.. give my body a break??
neptune_
neptune_
Posts: 38
Joined: 2002/11/22
Canada
2002/12/06, 04:20 PM
I usually take a week off every 8-12 weeks. Generally do it before starting a new routine.
neptune_
neptune_
Posts: 38
Joined: 2002/11/22
Canada
2002/12/06, 04:21 PM
I usually take a week off every 8-12 weeks. Generally do it before starting a new routine.
rev8ball
rev8ball
Posts: 3,081
Joined: 2001/12/27
United States
2002/12/06, 04:58 PM
my strength training regimens usually go 3-4 weeks, then one week off in between each cycle.

when i do just general overall weight training, i would go 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off.

--------------
Michael
"Trample the weak; hurdle the dead!"
bb1fit
bb1fit
Posts: 11,105
Joined: 2001/06/30
United States
2002/12/06, 05:48 PM
8-12 weeks. I usually do 10 weeks. Especially if you train pretty brutally hard...go max each workout. It is not just the muscles that need rest to recuperate and grow, but the tendons, ligaments, joints all need a breather too. They are typically not as strong, and cause problems without rest. Not to mention resting nerve endings. Add in the mental exhaustion, and week off well deserved. You will initiallly notice a strength drop, this is normal, but it comes back quickly and chances are good that you will surpass your previous best.

--------------
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary!