Thread: Performance reduced after break?

Hi all,

I am wondering, generally how much performance or strength reduction will occur after taking a rather long break from weight lifting exercises? The reason I am asking this is because in the near future I will need to travel for about 2 weeks, and during this travel I will not be able to lift weight nor do any exercise (cardio, etc), except probably only some stretching out. I wonder, when I come back, how would this affect my weight lifting performance? Will my strength (1RM) drop? If so, will it drop much? Should I simply pick up where I left when I return, or should I started with lighter weights first?

-- Josh

Follow up questions:

1. How long a break until a noticable (much) decrease of performance/strength occur?

** After 3 weeks atrophy hits in, so try not to take too long of a break if you can help it.

2. Should I take time during the break to stretch out or do some non-weight exercise like push up (exercises that can be done outside a gym)? I mean, would these practices help prevent any performance reduction?

** Your body can only push itself for 12-16 weeks at maximum effienency. This is why every 3 months or so it is advisable to take a 1-2 week break from lifting.

The break from lifting includes resistance work, so lay off the push-ups, etc ...

Cardio is optional here, and makes a nice change. Go out with your friends and play a game of football or something

Remember the reason you are taking a break is to refresh your body to punish it further.

I haven't noticed any strength losses after a week or two off from lifting, in fact sometimes minor increases.