Do u ever take a week break?

[lightsout2616]

HI sorry if this seems like a dumb question but i am new to body building but do any of u guys ever take any week breaks or so? The last two months i been really pushing myself every set every rep every day and am starting to feel a little burnt out. Would it be good to just take a week off or should i just lower my weight reps etc for a little bit? Thanks guys for all the things u post and all the help. this site really helps me alot especially for being new in this.

[theroymccoy]

Yes.

[dakoose]

I just took 10 days off. Yes, it's CRUCIAL to take a break occasionally.

[steel1970]

Absolutely, and do yourself a favor and take your break BEFORE you're beat to shit....being proactive with this will definitely help you over the long term....

[darkguitars2000]

Absolutely, and do yourself a favor and take your break BEFORE you're beat to shit....being proactive with this will definitely help you over the long term....

x2.

I used to wait until I started feeling aches to take a cruise week. Now I do it at week 7-8 almost every time, no matter how good i feel.

EDIT: I will say that I do sometimes skip a day here or there (when I get to this point) if I do wanna go an extra full week. (skip a friday and start the following monday, etc)

[mentalflex]

My blasts tend run long, no particular reason other than I am making progress and feel good. I do my best to listen to my body and take the cues it gives as a way of telling me, "Hey asshole, take some time off! You're killing me!" Usually this is when I start to feel a little worn out during the day, a little less motivation, not beating the logbook and just not feeling like I can push out the reps I should. I'm not talking about being completely worn out, just specific details that are an indication that your body is in need of break.

Taking a cruise after 8, 10, or how every many weeks is always fine, as Steel already said, and is easier to plan it out, but once you start going longer, am least for me, you have to pay a little more close attention to how your body and mind is responding to your training, nutrition and everything else in life.

[Agi]

I will say that I do sometimes skip a day here or there (when I get to this point) if I do wanna go an extra full week. (skip a Friday and start the following Monday, etc)

I've started doing that as well. I found after taking a week or week and a half break, I would start losing strength pretty quickly. By taking shorter, but more frequent breaks, I've been able to avoid that.

I usually try to take two sessions off (Friday and Monday) and then start back on a Wednesday. This means I miss one back/chest/tricep workout and one legs/bicep workout.

[dakoose]

I've started doing that as well. I found after taking a week or week and a half break, I would start losing strength pretty quickly. By taking shorter, but more frequent breaks, I've been able to avoid that.

I usually try to take two sessions off (Friday and Monday) and then start back on a Wednesday. This means I miss one back/chest/tricep workout and one legs/bicep workout.

I've been thinking about taking 3 days off every four weeks instead of the usual week off after eight weeks that I do, for that very reason. I think I'll implement it in my next blast and see how it goes.

[mark!]

I usually either do a really light deload week, or just take a few days off with a couple full body splits/conditioning days that week. Doesn't happen too often, but if I'm feeling beat up or worn down, I definitely listen to the body.

[lightsout2616]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[slide]

Yes...I take a 10-14 days every 6-8 weeks or so...for me, its a great to rest up, clear my head, and get focused for the next blast.

-slide

[FK86]

I train 5/3/1 and I personally do no training at all during the deload week. When I come back, I feel strong and refreshed.

[mateus]

Get in the habit of taking the breaks now, or at least a light deload. That way it becomes part of your training and makes it easier for you to take them as you get older. I am 36 now and these breaks are NEEDED every 6-8 weeks. Sometime a I will take 3 weeks if I beat the shit out of my body for a few months.

[SkinnyMike42]

Yes, I take them every couple of months...

It is a mental break for me, more than anything. Trying to smash PRs every workout is as much a mental task as a physical one.

[FK86]

Yes, I take them every couple of months...

It is a mental break for me, more than anything. Trying to smash PRs every workout is as much a mental task as a physical one.

Especially for deadlifts. No other exercise gives me the same level of pre-lift anxiety and stress as the deadlift.