How many days in a row should you lift weights?

[matt_2036]

Is doing push (chest and tri's) on the first day, then pull(back and bi's) the next and then legs on the third consecutive day to much? This is what I have been doing, however I have been taking two days off before staring on chest and tri's again, so technicaly I have been giving each muscle group 5 days rest.

Would it be better to take one day off in between each or does it really matter?

[USMARINE8152]

There is not a set schedule for taking time off. Everyone is different. Depends on your diet, sleep pattern, even stress levels in your life. I train 2 on, 1 off and feel good so far. I figure as long as the numbers improve then dont stop. Also deloading once every few weeks can help.

[keys_10]

There is not a set schedule for taking time off. Everyone is different. Depends on your diet, sleep pattern, even stress levels in your life. I train 2 on, 1 off and feel good so far. I figure as long as the numbers improve then dont stop. Also deloading once every few weeks can help.

^^^^^^^^^^^What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^

Personally I won't do more than 2 days in a row and only 3 days in the gym a week.
Having said that we're all different and if your still growing and getting stronger then there is no need to change.

[matt_2036]

^^^^^^^^^^^What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^

Personally I won't do more than 2 days in a row and only 3 days in the gym a week.
Having said that we're all different and if your still growing and getting stronger then there is no need to change.

Thanks for the feedbak guys. This is why I am asking though, I am only two months into my program. I have seen both a 10lbs weight gain and improvment in the mirror. I have read however that the first couple of months are easy and then you tend to plateau. I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing when it comes to rest and get the most out of my work outs.

To be honest the three day in a row thing often comes down when I can get it in, I dont always do three days in a row, but will this week and ahve seemed to have done ti in weeks past.

I have only done one "de-load" though and that was over Chritmas holiday, so maybe next week its time for another?

[ironwill2008]

Would it be better to take one day off in between each or does it really matter?

Yes. It really matters. For the vast majority of people with average genetics (which is most of us), a rest day in between training days is the better way to go. Muscle recovers and grows outside the gym, not during training.

[matt_2036]

Yes. It really matters. For the vast majority of people with average genetics (which is most of us), a rest day in between training days is the better way to go. Muscle recovers and grows outside the gym, not during training.

Even if your working seperate muscle groups huh?

[ironwill2008]

Even if your working seperate muscle groups huh?

Even if working separate muscle groups.

[matt_2036]

Even if working separate muscle groups.

So you would suggest day one push upper body
Day two cardio
day three pull uoper body
day four cardio
Day five lower body
Day six and seven rest/light cardio....or just rest both days?

[keys_10]

Thanks for the feedbak guys. This is why I am asking though, I am only two months into my program. I have seen both a 10lbs weight gain and improvment in the mirror. I have read however that the first couple of months are easy and then you tend to plateau. I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing when it comes to rest and get the most out of my work outs.

To be honest the three day in a row thing often comes down when I can get it in, I dont always do three days in a row, but will this week and ahve seemed to have done ti in weeks past.

I have only done one "de-load" though and that was over Chritmas holiday, so maybe next week its time for another?

I don't think you need another week off so soon after christmas. I'll take a week off every 6-8 weeks, but again this is personal preference.

Your body is different than everyone else's, if you feel you need a week off then take a week off. But if your still feeling fresh then don't take a week off.
The more you train the more you'll learn about your body and you'll soon be able to tell if you need an extra rest day, more sleep, more food, less food ect ect.

Hope this helps

[ironwill2008]

So you would suggest day one push upper body
Day two cardio
day three pull uoper body
day four cardio
Day five lower body
Day six and seven rest/light cardio....or just rest both days?

This looks like a workable plan. That's a lot of cardio, depending on your particular goal. For myself, I'd take 6 & 7 as complete rest days, and then hit it hard again starting Monday.

[matjusm]

I have done long periods of 3 or sometimes even 4 days of consecutive training days and the results just kept rolling in. My point is that it is very individual and depends on a multitude of factors. Only way to find out is to try.

[matt_2036]

This looks like a workable plan. That's a lot of cardio, depending on your particular goal. For myself, I'd take 6 & 7 as complete rest days, and then hit it hard again starting Monday.

Thanks everyone for their imput! I decided to take today off and go every other day.
Push
Cardio
Pull
Cardio
Legs
Cardio
Off

Then start all over again.
Gonna hit it hard as **** tomorrow though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!