How often should you take a break from working out?

[...Gi...]

I've been told that you should have a week off completely after 8-10 weeks of solid work and I have been doing this but

1. Is that true?
2. If so should it be more/ less than 8-10 weeks or is that about right?

Thanks all

[Firepanda]

6-10 weeks I would say. I wouldn't leave it more than 3 months, but your body should tell you when you need one.

And yes it's true, it is very beneficial.

[joush]

ive not been off for more than 4 days in 7 months, im growing/feeling fine

[big-muscle-19]

take a break when you feel like one not from some article you read or a comment by someone.

8-10 weeks is too short for a break from lifting

[Firepanda]

You don't have to take the full week off, depends when you take the break. I had to take a break for exams a month ago, that was after 7 weeks training, but I didn't feel like I needed one like I have done before. So I only took 5 days off.

You should enjoy the time off anyway, not having to follow as much of a guidline for meal preparation, and perhaps cook less of them during the day.

[...Gi...]

I get what you mean and after 10 weeks my body normally feel like a short break but 7 days seems a bit much and then it messes up your routine.

Another idea I've heard is you still work that week just break it down to 3 sessions.

Anyone tried that and if you have what did you in terms of lifting?

[LessThanLuke]

take a break when you feel like one not from some article you read or a comment by someone.

8-10 weeks is too short for a break from lifting

Depends on the intensity of the lifting though.

I have been having a week off every 3 months which is normally after I max out.

[thricenotrice]

taking a break is useless imo. Unless you are seeing a severe plateau, have a minor injury, or are just too busy/going on vacation, taking a week or two break is dumb. IMO.

[LessThanLuke]

taking a break is useless imo. Unless you are seeing a severe plateau, have a minor injury, or are just too busy/going on vacation, taking a week or two break is dumb. IMO.

Your opinion is wrong IMO lol. Depends on how your lifting. If you are lifting high rep bb style then maybe you can last longer. But try working with heavy ass weights for sets of 3 and 5 for 8 weeks. You will need a break.

[-B-]

take a break when you feel like one not from some article you read or a comment by someone.

8-10 weeks is too short for a break from lifting

agreed. This little game we call lifting weights is all about listening to your body

[Edward1992]

Depends on the intensity of the lifting though.

I have been having a week off every 3 months which is normally after I max out.

same here but i also have sundays off

[LessThanLuke]

same here but i also have sundays off

lol wut?

[ayekay]

my shoulder started hurting on wednesday so i decided to take a little break and let it heal itself. sunday i decided i would start back up again on monday since it was feeling a lot better. when i went to the gym today it was my chest/tri day and holy **** 4 days off made a difference it seemed like i was stronger..it might have just been in my head though idk

[Ascendancy]

About every two-3 months I do strategic deconditioning. In fact I started it today because I've got some devil throat virus.

[Connelly1]

i normaly aim for 10 but now i'm going to have to take a week off then on for 2 weeks then off for another week because of a trip and football tryouts it sucks..

[PumpinPaddy]

i am just coming to the end of my week off - im on holidays, so i just decided to combine the two, as i needed to recover from a lot of niggly injuries - my body definately needed a break, but i wouldnt say to take on off every x amount of weeks - you'll know when you need to

[C-Squared]

I don't take a week off, I just spread a one week split into two - when I eat the same as when I'm working, my body ends up storing it as fat, so I hafta keep moving a lil... just coming off some down time, I sure did need it!!! And all my leg lifts went up 10 lbs, always nice!

[brah_of_iron]

Don't take a week fully off, IMO it's much better to take a week and do like 50% of your usual weight, and just take it easy during the workouts than to completely stop going to the gym for a week.
Focus on full ROM to completely stretch out your muscles, and get lots of sleep.

[Dejan.]

I've been working out a full year without rest.

[mikeboxing]

damn, i have to take a break now, lower back strain, my sports doc said to take some time off to not make it worse. Should i continue my creatine cycle , and take in the protein?

[Wegzyzz]

haven't had a break in 3 months so starting last thursday I took a week off because I got sick lol...

I hear its good to have a break once in a while; when you go back to lifting you'll be more stronger because your central nervous system and all your muscles have had time to rest.

during breaks make sure to increase protein, but since you aren't lifting decrease carbs and total calories by a bit.

[tshelby123]

That's why you schedule off days.

[xHiroko]

Wth, that's the first time I hear such thing.
But as I keep reading the comments, people actually support the idea.
I guess I should take those breaks too if they're beneficial.
I've been training a year and a half in a row with no breaks, Could I had a better body by now if I took some breaks?

[dangap]

Yep think I need a rest, so tired all the time lately

[dangap]

Yep think I need a rest, so tired all the time lately

lol didn't realise such an old thread