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2003/07/29, 09:49 AM
I recently took about 3weeks off because I was traveling and taking care of some other things. I really didnt want to stop but I knew I would come back to exercising 3 days a week...
I started up again last Monday, this time at the intermediate level (completed 8wk beginner level) and it felt good to actually get sore again :) I had to cut back my dumbell weight last week by 5lbs but now this week I am right back at my normal weight for all my exercises.
I have noticed some visual differences in my arms and chest already. I even noticed some while I was on my break... Is this just because my muscles are getting a shock since taking off a few weeks and it will level off or is my body reacting differently to weight training since I have taken time off? I am just curious.
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2003/07/29, 09:57 AM
Periodic rest can be one of the most anabolic things you can do. Your body needs time to repair. This means at some point taking total time off from the gym. A week every 8-10 weeks if you train hard is ideal. Gives your body time to recouperate, replenish, and grow some new muscle. As long as you eat decent, you will probably gain. One thing to keep in mind, the muscles can keep up, but the ligamnents, joints, tendons, nerve endings, these can't and all need rest. Not to mention your mental attitude upon returning is again very high.
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Great people never want it easier, they just want to be better!
Ron
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2003/07/29, 12:11 PM
Well said, that's exactly how I feel. I do feel as if I gained more muscle when I was off, although it could just be psychological. I feel that when I first started the program I saw gains; then my progress leveled out and I was just "working out". Now that I have restarted, my "starting point" is a couple notches higher and I plan to ascend from here.
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