The importance of taking extra days off

[calfzilla]

Back when I was lifting regularly and following my routine, I noticed that when I had an interruption in my training to go camping for a few days, when I got back I would usually notice some growth in my arms.  I guess what I'm getting at is that we shouldn't underestimate rest and recuperation for muscle growth. 

[Dreadlord]

Does wonders for your strength as well.

[jpm101]

Agree on all points. Recovery, and allowing time for it, is the key. Good luck.

[Charlys69]

Sure, we have to listen to the Body....a few days of extra-rest can be very good for future progress, but don`t make the mistake to think (just because i´m tired i have to take a week off....), it´s a thin line between "good" and "counterproductive".

[OmahaPlaya]

Usually if I take extra rest it's no more then two days straight in between workouts.

[candidizzle]

first four years of training i trained 7 days a week 365...sick or on vacation or birthdays or holidays...no matter what i was in the gym

i did a five day rotation

chest
arms
shoulders
back
legs
repeat


it worked like FUCK...untill i started to diet and eat less

in another thread alex23 says that "overeating" cant prevent "overtraiing"

every person i have ever met who has eaten like a pig and done an every day routine has seen awesome reulst

DADDY WADDY WAS A NATURAL IN THE MR GETBIG. GO LOOK AT HIS PICS. HE WORKED OUT TWICE A DAY FULL BODY EVERYDAY AND ATE LIKE A MAD MAN. PIZZA ICE CREAM TONS OF PROTEIN SHAKES TONS OF MEAT.

(fucking caps)

in short, while i do beleiving overtraining exists, and while i do think a natural bodybuilder is better off doing hit style trainig... i dont think that consistant every day training with high volume is always necessarily a bad thing

[thewickedtruth]

a few days off after training for awhile is GREAT for your total recovery.. you'll typically come back significantly stronger than before even after just 2-3 days.

[Bluto]

if a few days of camping would make my arms grow i would go camping all the time

[Montague]

Back when I was lifting regularly and following my routine, I noticed that when I had an interruption in my training to go camping for a few days, when I got back I would usually notice some growth in my arms.  I guess what I'm getting at is that we shouldn't underestimate rest and recuperation for muscle growth. 

Good observation.

Sure, we have to listen to the Body....a few days of extra-rest can be very good for future progress, but don`t make the mistake to think (just because i´m tired i have to take a week off....), it´s a thin line between "good" and "counterproductive".

Great advice.

I never purposely “schedule” break periods, but I’m never afraid to take one when needed.

[Overload]

I take a full week off every 2-3 months and i take 2 weeks off during xmas.

i ALWAYS come back stronger.

[slaveboy1980]

Back when I was lifting regularly and following my routine, I noticed that when I had an interruption in my training to go camping for a few days, when I got back I would usually notice some growth in my arms.  I guess what I'm getting at is that we shouldn't underestimate rest and recuperation for muscle growth. 

you should use deload periods in any serious training program. use less weight and/or volume and/or frequency during these periods.

3-6 weeks of hard training followed by a deload period of 1-2 weeks can be good.

will give better results than taking weeks of all the time.

dont get me wrong, taking weeks of can be beneficial from time to time. but its better to deload BEFORE you run in the wall.

[slaveboy1980]

Good observation.


Great advice.

I never purposely “schedule” break periods, but I’m never afraid to take one when needed.

would get even better results if you start taking the breaks (preferably 'deloads' instead of complete weeks off) just before you need them.

[Montague]

would get even better results if you start taking the breaks (preferably 'deloads' instead of complete weeks off) just before you need them.

I rarely take an entire week off.
What is a "deload?"

I don’t always know when I will need a break, as most of the things that cause me to miss a workout (or several) include illness or spur of the moment hunting trips, etc.

I never schedule time off from the gym, so when one of the above things occurs, I don’t lose any sleep over it. And I do feel good upon returning to my routine.

[candidizzle]

In my world there's work, women, hang overs, and drug binges. Time off from the gym? Sometimes life gets in the way! Wish I was on your schedules!

women hang overs and drug binges are all personal choices bro

you want progress you gotta make sacrifices

[CalvinH]

I seem to fill out a little when I take breaks.
but I also seem to lose cuts and vascularity{not that I have much to begin with }

[Get Rowdy]

DADDY WADDY WAS A NATURAL IN THE MR GETBIG. GO LOOK AT HIS PICS. HE WORKED OUT TWICE A DAY FULL BODY EVERYDAY AND ATE LIKE A MAD MAN. PIZZA ICE CREAM TONS OF PROTEIN SHAKES TONS OF MEAT.

Don't forget the ramen noodles. 

[MuscleMcMannus]

I rarely take an entire week off.
What is a "deload?"

I don’t always know when I will need a break, as most of the things that cause me to miss a workout (or several) include illness or spur of the moment hunting trips, etc.

I never schedule time off from the gym, so when one of the above things occurs, I don’t lose any sleep over it. And I do feel good upon returning to my routine.

Bryan Haycock uses the term "strategic deconditioning". 

[DIVISION]

Back when I was lifting regularly and following my routine, I noticed that when I had an interruption in my training to go camping for a few days, when I got back I would usually notice some growth in my arms.  I guess what I'm getting at is that we shouldn't underestimate rest and recuperation for muscle growth. 

During the training schedule, most people don't take in to account the "whole body" recovery needed to be fresh for a workout.

When you work one bodypart it has a cumulative effect on your whole body organism.

By the end of the week your body isn't working as effectively anymore..........

Ideally, you want at least a day in-between workouts depending on how heavy you lift.

I don't do more than three or four workouts per week and I am a personal trainer.


DIV

[LittleJ]

I disagree............I feel like shit after one week off