Question for Martial artists/athletes about taking time off of training

[Philly Grappler]

I read in a couple of different books that it is good to take a week or two off of training every 4-12 weeks. I actually have one book that suggests 4 weeks on and one week off, which seems a little much for me. The problem for me is that it is mental; if I am not doing something I feel like a slacker. My problem is also that I am weight training in addition to martial arts and I feel like I have been burning the candle at both ends. I did this all through out my 20's, but am now 32. I keep my test levels at the high end of normal but even so I feel burnt out and tired all of the time. I took a week off of training last week because I am feeling tired and sore all of the time. This week is really no different.

Anyway, I was just wondering what martial artists in here think about time off. Is there a certain schedule you like to follow or do you just listen to your body? Are you weight training in addition to martial arts training?

[WARMachine]

It depends for me...

If i have a comp or a fight upcoming i keep my weight lifting to a minimum.

I tend to have two days off a week. I roll everyday though as i teach/fight for a living.

But i lift 5 days a week, and train hard 5 days a week and have two off days. When i am training for a fight or comp, i train 6 days a week and lift weights usually 2-3 times a week. There is too high an injury risk for me to do anymore.

Granted im much younger than you and feel like my body can do this. Im sure when i get to your age, ill be cutting back.

[T_Own]

war definitely has the experience in this one, but i would say it depends a lot on the person. if you roll and lift hard every day of the week, then it would probably be good to take some time off every now and then. you can still do things like running or less intense lifting if you feel lazy, but just tone it down a lot so you can recover. but on the other end of the spectrum, if you only work out a few times a week, and split that with lifting/grappling, then it wouldn't hurt to stretch out the time between breaks.

the best judge of this is yourself. if you feel dead, just take a couple days off, take it easy, and be ready to go back to work when the time comes. but if you feel fine, theres no point in skipping days

[WDMF]

I'm in the same boat Philly. I lift 4 times a week and roll 4 times a week. HRT helps alot, but I still feel very drained sometimes. Just listen to your body and train accordingly. Usually I like to take off 3 days when I'm tired.

If you take a full week off every 4 weeks do some cardio so that you stay active.

[QuieTSToRM33]

I always take some time off.

As long as you stay semi-active while you're off ... you'll be good as new when you return.

[Philly Grappler]

When your weight lifting are you guys going to failure? I had somebody in the Jiu jitsu gym tell me he doesn't go to failure because he'd be sore the next day. I guess my mentality has always been to give it everything you've got.

[WARMachine]

No i dont lift to fail...

I complete all my reps... Sure you have to struggle, but i always complete my reps when im training... When im purely on a cycle or lifting heaby, sure.

[zimmy]

when I train i find that taking a week off of jitsu makes you come back sharper than before especially if you are over training...which most of us end up doing

[Brown Ninja]

What is everyone's thoughts on actually rolling while on a cycle?

[WARMachine]

Keep it to a minimum...

I dont train when im on cycle. Not really anyway...

Personally bro, i NEVER cycle before a fight. I do it in the offseason and usually a week or two after ive fought.

But i run my own school so i have to roll almost ED. I just go very light, and dont let anyone sub me.

Too much risk of injury for me...

[Brown Ninja]

No kidding. Thanks for the info. So I guess i should figure out if i want to start rolling or that next cycle. Would you say that same goes for Muay Thai and Boxing?

[WARMachine]

I try to spar full contact muay thai at least 2 times a week when im training. But while on cycle, i dont do it at all.

Just a LOT of pad work...

[Philly Grappler]

Why don't you guys roll on cycle? Is it an endurance issue? I know that when I started test cyp I felt I lost some steam.

[WARMachine]

Endurance is a big part of it. Like i said, i roll every single day usually. Tren and anything having to do with endurance or cardio is non-existent.

But my main reason is the higher injury risk when cycling.

[Brown Ninja]

Probably wrong forum but what does someone very active who does roll/muay thai/box go to as far as a cycle? I know Tren is wicked but I hear you on the effect it has on cardio. Eq and Test?

[WARMachine]

EQ Test Var... Those are all great...

[Lutador]

Ditto here... EQ and Var are a great way to go.