Take a week off?

[xnotoriousx]

What is the ideal amount you should go before you take the week off from training?

Another question I have, is do you REALLY even need to do this?

With a normal 2 on 1 off split, I just feel like ones body has enough time to fully heal, but i'm no expert.

[Bigzrs01]

I like to take a week off every couple months

[WOLFCRAFT]

I was forced to take a week off last week because I got sick.
I went back this week and my strength is shit.
I even made sure to keep up on my protein while away from the gym.
I won't be taking a week off again for quite a while. I say it's not necessary.

[SuperLift]

I also am interested in this?

[mrdude]

I like to take a week off every couple months

Yeah. When I was resting a few weeks when it was christmas and stuff I got stronger.

[DSM4Life]

i been working out for 10 years straight, never missed a day.

[Nooomoto]

I usually take a week off every 8 or 9 months.

[hellapimpin]

While in normal routine i will take a week off every few months

[FireGuy]

If my joints start talking to me (which they tend to do lately) I will take a 1-2 week higher rep approach and stop well short of failure. Skipping the gym completely would mind fvck me too much.

["Maximus"]

Look at it this way, how do you feel when you leave work for a week or two on a TRUE vacation? The same analogy applies to the body. Aside from the muscles/body structure, our CNS also needs a break from its daily routine. Is like leaving on vacation, but still carrying the BlackBerry from work with you... no good! Get the point. When you take whatever amount of time off, don't think or do anything related to exercise; simple as that.

[FireGuy]

That analogy is only correct assuming you view work and working out the same. I LOVE my time in the gym. I look forward to it from the moment I wake up until I get there and hear the plates clanking together. If you told me I would never gain or lose an ounce of muscle and would be in perfect health whether I ever touched a weight in my life again or not. I would still be in the gym everyday. Going to the gym is my vacation that I get to take everyday.

["Maximus"]

Agreed...

I LOVE not only what I do for a living but also working out; especially the latter, as it has helped me better myself mentally and physically. However, in my case, it doesn't matter how much I love both, I have to break away from everyday routine.. again, that's me but you're right as well.

[xnotoriousx]

I've wanted to know this for quite sometime. I got to thinking, maybe a week off every 2 months with a kept strict diet, would maybe be more beneficial or at least 2-3 days off. I'm thinking it would maybe trigger more growth being that your body will be guessing more.

I have no science on this matter, just a gut feeling lol

[xnotoriousx]

.......

[hankdiesel]

I take a week off every 6-9 months.

["Maximus"]

I've wanted to know this for quite sometime. I got to thinking, maybe a week off every 2 months with a kept strict diet, would maybe be more beneficial or at least 2-3 days off. I'm thinking it would maybe trigger more growth being that your body will be guessing more.

I have no science on this matter, just a gut feeling lol

everybody is different, but your "gut feeling" is correct sir.. now push that up to 3 months (12wks or so) and take a week or two off; you can't go wrong with that! I've done that several times already within the last two years; definitely felt and responded better to the same/new routine(s) after the break!

max

[xnotoriousx]

took 3 off, got back at it yesterday for legs, had a good workout. Today had the best shoulder workout to date i've ever had. I dropped the creatine also about 1 week ago so that was a surprise to me. I thought i'd def see a loss in strength. Got me thinking maybe the creatine is all in my mind or maybe it takes longer then a week to lose its effect. (cellmass btw)