sensamilia

I tend to take one week off from training every 8 weeks to fully recover. Im wondering if anyone else takes time off from training on a consistent basis?
I know after that one week break i feel fully amped and ready to hit the weights again with full intensity. Do you believe it is necessay to take time off? Discuss..

Mista

I usually am forced into taking a break from injury, or lack of strength. I come back better so its all good.

Gazhole

8 Weeks sounds about right to me, i think taking a week off every once in a while is a great idea to give yourself a break.

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Duncans Donuts

yes you always want to take some time off to allow a mental and physical recovery. a week, two weeks every few months is a great idea in my opinion

"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

fyredup1286

I do take breaks like your sayin but i tend to lift for a lot longer...ill lift for say 3 or four months and lift maybe three days a week. But wen i take my break, ill take off maybe a month or two. This could be cause i platued or cus i have too much stuff going on in my life where i cannot get to a gym.

I listen to everyone. I may not agree with everyone, but if you're not at least willing to listen to other's opinions, you're just short-changing yourself.
There is ALWAYS room for improvement

JonnyStead

1 week every 10-11

I'm 34 - when am I officially an old fart?

Duncans Donuts

2 weeks is okay, too.

"in the howling bleeding nights, the dogs plunge into the Volga and swim desperately to gain the other bank. The nights of Stalingrad are a terror for them. Animals flee this hell; the hardest stones cannot bear it for long; only men endure."

XFatMan

There's definitely a need for a week or two off. I usually get my butt out of the gym when I can't beat my previous workout. With my Max-OT-like workout, that's usually after 8 - 10 weeks.

I have recently started my first HST cycle and I believe I could do longer without taking some time off. On the other hand, you feel fresh after the break, so it's not really necessary to work out like freak for more than 8 weeks.

Goal: < 15% Body Fat by June 30, 2008
December 30, 2007: Body Weight: 75.8 Kg / 174.3 lbs Body Fat Percentage: 21.9%
Current (January 13, 2008): Body Weight 75.7 Kg / 174.0 lbs Body Fat Percentage: 21.4%

CowPimp

I kind of base my unloading on how I feel and what my weights are looking like. If I start to feel like motivation is lacking, general energy levels are lower than they had been, and/or I'm getting weaker, then I will back off. I usually don't take off completely but just do some easy stuff so that isn't draining in the least bit. Generally, this means unloading every 4-12 weeks.

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Semper

I work out heavy and very intensely, I actually take one week off for every four on. Before this I was always sore, tired and gains were getting difficult to make. After the time off my numbers actually go up. It is important to not let yourself go during this time and still take in plenty of protein and get lots of sleep. I does work