How often do you guys take a week off?

[Jim Mills]

I do it about every 3 months but I'm thinking of doing it every 8 weeks..... I just took a week of last week and started lifting again on Monday (chest) and I'm sore as a bastard.... And I like it!!... I did arms last night and I'm starting to feel it now.

 

[delta314]

I took six days off last week due to having a kick ass flu bug. Came back Monday and did chest and was able to add two reps to my best set. Nothing hurt for the first time in awhile.

 

[bpmartyr]

I usually go 12 weeks but I perpetually overtain. I just don't feel right if I am not hittin the gym. I always feel much better after taking a week off however and I want to start doing it every 6 weeks.

 

[Gumbo]

I take a week long vacation twice a year and usually go away....during this time, I do ZERO exercise (aside from 12oz curls). Other than vacation, if I start to feel worn down, I take an extra day or two off.

Gumbo

 

[Rodja]

I take off every 10-12 wks depending on what else is going on(e.g. school, work, etc.).

 

[CROWLER]

I take a week to 10 days off every 6 weeks. When I was younger I used to brag how I had gone for over 2 years without taking time off :frustrate


CROWLER

 

[glenihan]

usually i like to take a full week every 8 weeks or so .. and then invariably i manage to take 2 full weeks off in a row at least twice a year due to being super busy

 

[2fast2live]

I normally take a week off after 6 weeks straight, when i come back im normally a bit stronger.

 

[chauncy]

I usually take off somewhere around after 10-12 weeks. I usually rely on my body more then a set schedule to know when to take a week or so to heal up some.

 

[Grunt76]

I've worked the rest into my program. I do 4 weeks of slightly excessive volume, which leads me to eventually overtrain. At the end of these 4 weeks I'll usually feel a little bit tired all the time, like the onset of overtraining, take 3-4 days off, then come back for 4 weeks of lower volume. After 4 months of this, I'll take a real week or even 2 off the gym. When I'm on cycle, I wait after PCT. Of course.

 

[idunk42]

I usually just listen to my body. I can tell when Im starting to get worn down and then I'll take about 5-7 days off. I usually start to feel like this every 14 weeks or so.

 

[Mass_69]

I take off every 10-12 wks depending on what else is going on

Same here. Usually 12 weeks.

 

[*Bulldog*]

I feel guilty when I'm not in the gym lifting. I also always worry that I'm going to get weaker if I take a week off. I know thats mostly in my head. Actually if I take a week off, I notice the opposite. I feel better and can usually lift more. As it is now, I usually will only take a week off if I am sick or something. But I think I'm going to try to start doing something like 8 weeks on and 1 week off.

 

[Jim Mills]

I think you'll find with a week off every 6-8 weeks, you will give your muscles a shock when you start back up.... Plus you give them a chance to heal up nicely before you tear them up again :hammer:

 

[natedogg]

I usually take off every 2 to 3 months depending on how I feel. The past two weeks I've missed a couple of workouts due to a bad cold and recently a horrible stomach virus.

 

[jamievk]

Usually take a week of every 12 weeks or so. Keeps you fresh

 

[phil216]

If you come back stronger after taking a week off, why not allow more time off between your workouts normally? If you got stronger after a week off that is proof that you did not lose anything during that week as you obviously gained from the extra time off. Just something to think about........


Yes I'm a HIT advocate.

 

[BBAddict]

I believe in listening to my body. I know when I'm worn down and my joints hurt and then I try to take some time off. I admit it's hard to do but I think you're body will tell you when you need to rest.

 

[House72]

I usually take a few days off after about 12 weeks or so. Unless Im feeling sick, i will take off then. I don't take a week off, I usually take a few days off. I usually go real light the other days. I don't like taking time away from the gym.

 

[charliewat]

Time off?

 

[phil216]

Not many people say anything negative happened when they took a week off..........

 

[YonkersCBR954]

Time off?

lol exactly ...

 

[Mulletsoldier]

If you come back stronger after taking a week off, why not allow more time off between your workouts normally? If you got stronger after a week off that is proof that you did not lose anything during that week as you obviously gained from the extra time off. Just something to think about........


Yes I'm a HIT advocate.

You make me laugh dude, have you posted in a single thread without hawking HIT?..Though, I suppose this would be one of the few that it is warranted..Not starting anything either, just merely stating..Anyway, I like to do around 3-4 months as well

 

[Knowbull]

Every 6 to 8, makes for much better gains and maintains, for me any way.

 

[phil216]

Hey what can I say I like HIT. With that being said i have posted may times withut mentioning HIT or Mentzer when in the other parts of this board.

 

[Beatmaster]

I'll say every 8/10 weeks, and everytime i feel stronger.