Rest between routines

JustAbout · July 25th, 2009, 04:19 PM

I was reading an article the other day describing the foundations to good strength training. Nothing was listed that is unusual but when I was reading about rest periods it got me to thinking. Currently I still with a certain routine for about six to eight weeks. Then I usually take a week off and then start a new routine. The article basicly suggests every once and awhile to take an extended rest peroid, in the range of five to six weeks. I was just curious what everyone else thinks about this.

JustAbout

**IMFREAKZILLA** · July 25th, 2009, 04:35 PM

rest depends on one owns body and the weight you are pushing,you can not compare yourself
with pros,pro body builders,guys/gals who have been lifting a while.muscles have memory
and know the way back to where they came from and unless you on the juice it sounds like 8/10
weeks is a good point to go with and shut your batterys down for a week ,again everybody
body,system,metab is different,some people work out 3 days some can go 6/7 its all a matter
of whats going in your body plus a good weeks rest gives your joints a rest.I never rested for
more than a week but thats me and i know my body,take care and good luck.ps changing up
your routine does wonders,also time spent in the gym(QUALITY TIME)makes the ultimate dif
meaning if you are standing around talking ,babe watching or getting that blood flowing and
getting a muscle pump and burning em up.

**wildstang** · July 26th, 2009, 12:51 AM

ive never went more then a 2 week period mostly about a weeks rest. 6 to 8 is way to excessive 4 me.

**Insex** · July 26th, 2009, 03:45 PM

It mostly depends on the individual; everybody is different, and there's no formula that's set in stone that works perfectly for everyone.

Personally, I've taken as long as two months off. Although the extended break from lifting weights feels nice, you should only do it if you're willing to spend an additional three to four weeks after your break just to get your strength and stamina levels back near where they used to be before the break. My muscle memory is pretty good, so I can regain most of my strength in a few weeks after taking a couple months off. Any break of any time period is good for the muscles, joints, and even the nervous system.

JustAbout · July 26th, 2009, 06:46 PM

A week is best for me at the moment. I'm usually chomping at the bit to get back after a week. I usually get strange looks from the other gym members because I don't always do traditional workouts. I like to utilize dumb bells for the farmers walk, suit case carry, etc. And then considering I actually try to move some weight. I've actually been the butt end of some light hearted jokes in my gym, but considering it's the sixty and over crowd at 6am it doesn't bother me.

JustAbout

DEALER · July 28th, 2009, 04:01 PM

My biggest problem with taking an extended break is getting my ass back into the gym at all. The longer I am away, the easier it is to find excuses why I can't go. That said, every few months, I will hit a spot where my strength sort of bottoms out, and I will sometimes even get weaker. There is no question to me that this is my body telling me to take time off - usually 4 or five days in a row will suffice.