Deload on cycle?

[chaps]

I'm just about 9 weeks into a test e 500 cycle and I really need a deload. I want to point out that I'm not a bodybuilder, I'm a strength athlete. I typically deload every 8 weeks for 10 days, which I've found over the years to be vital to my recovery and avoidance of injury. Thing is, I really want to run the test for 12 weeks. My cycle is in full effect and I'm making crazy size gains right now, but I feel beat up and broken, my body wants it's deload.

I ran a 9 week variation of an HST style routine, with 3 weeks of each in the 12-15, 8-10, and 4-5 rep range.

On a typical deload, I'll just lift around 40% of my max on bench/dead/squat every other day for 10 sets of 3 reps, then spend 20 minutes a day on cardio and try to work hard on mobility. Is there any reason why I can't do this on cycle and then pickup with week 1 of a new routine on my last week of test?

[Brett N]

What if you cut your deload down to only 5 days? How many days of the week do you lift?

I know how you feel, it would seem like a waste to skip 10 days of a precious 12 week cycle but if you feel your body needs a full 10 days I would take it. That would be better than lifting while you are distracted and thinking about harm you are doing.

Doing your standard deload isn't going to kill all your progress, it may even be quite beneficial to come back rested and really beat those weights up your last couple weeks.

[chaps]

I've done short deloads, I don't think they are beneficial. I always notice at around day 5 of deload is when I start to feel soft from not lifting, then suddenly at day 7 out of nowhere my muscles seem to harden up as if I had just lifted the day before. Not sure what that effect means, but I read it as a reason for a longer deload.

I do a 3 day per week program.

[tdoe11]

Do you really think your body "needs" a de load? On cycle as you know recovery is very much accelerated. Maybe switch your routine but keep, even up the intensity. I switch from low 4-6 reps extremely heavy to higher reps 12-16 (less rest time and more sets) often.

I never do a de load. IMO wasting days on cycle would be a bummer. I would avoid it info was you. Good luck man.

[AD]

if you think you need a break, then take it. you're talking about 10days in a 12wks cycle, and you'll still be training during those 10days. its not like you're going to the beach and bum. and since you've already made good gains, i don't see any problems.

[Metalject]

if you think you need a break, then take it. you're talking about 10days in a 12wks cycle. and since you've already made good gains, i don't see any problems.

Pretty much what he said. When your body needs a break it needs a break and that can happen on cycle just as easily as it can off cycle. This idea that you can beat your body into the ground non-stop because you're on gear is a bit naive.

[marcus300]

Personally I'd carry on making the gains and ride the cycle out. All you need to do is have more rest days. Your on cycle run with it and rest more if you feel under a bit of stress

[Brett N]

3 day a week workout is not too much too handle no matter how hard you push yourself on those 3 days. If I had to cut out something, it would be the cardio and whatever I was doing the off days that did not let me recover.

[chaps]

Off days are just 20 minutes of cardio and mobility work. And you can totally burn yourself out with 3x per week routines when you're regularly squatting in the 300s and deadlifting in the 400s. Keep in mind, I'm 183lbs @ 5'9".

[chaps]

Just to provide an update on this one, I did my 10 day deload. For crosstraining during the deload I ended up swimming 3 days, sauna + deep 45 min mobility work + 20 min cardio 3 days, 1 day of low low weight squats/bench just to get the blood moving, and one day I went indoor climbing.

The result? I feel great. All my lifts are up 5-10lbs. I lost 3lbs but it was all bloat/water/fat, arms measure the same. I'd say there was absolutely no harm in the deload and i'm looking forward to blasting for the last 2 weeks of this cycle now.

[AD]

Just to provide an update on this one, I did my 10 day deload. For crosstraining during the deload I ended up swimming 3 days, sauna + deep 45 min mobility work + 20 min cardio 3 days, 1 day of low low weight squats/bench just to get the blood moving, and one day I went indoor climbing.

The result? I feel great. All my lifts are up 5-10lbs. I lost 3lbs but it was all bloat/water/fat, arms measure the same. I'd say there was absolutely no harm in the deload and i'm looking forward to blasting for the last 2 weeks of this cycle now.

well done

[Brett N]

Good deal, gotta do what is right for your body. Only you really know, no matter how educated the input is. For me sometimes, even though I think my body may be able to push harder, I mentally need a break or change of pace.

Lifts up 5-10 is some great progress. Keep up the good work and finish cycle strong.