Do you REALLY need to take a day off?

[CancerNV]

I seem to be reading and hearing conflicting reports. Some people say you need to allow your body to "regroup" for a day or two after a 4 - 6 day workout schedual. Other people say that you should give your muscle groups 3 days rest at least.

I work out 4/5 days a weeks and I hit one major muscle group a day. Do I really need to take a day off if I havent hit the chest in 4 days?

 

[Blieb]

Everyone's body is different, and you should base it on how you feel, not a number.

Sometimes I'll take 3 days off, sometimes none, sometimes one. I do gp's p/rr/s and it's recommended you take a week off after every 3 cycles (9 wks).

 

[gopro]

For the average lifter that is not on drugs, 4 days per week seems to be the optimal amount of training.

 

[Flex]

Do I really need to take a day off if I havent hit the chest in 4 days?

yes.

Your body needs time to rebuild itself, not to mention your mind will rejuvinate it's enthusiasm towards training w/time off.

 

[luke c.]

I used to not think taking time off was that important. Im 17 and have allready had to have surgury on my elbow from to much heavy lifting. You just have to be careful and listen to what you feel like.

 

[Uzi9]

Do you need to take off days? well thats like saying do you need to sleep.

 

[CowPimp]

I usually recommend that natural lifters avoid resistance training more than 2 days consecutively. You grow while resting. Rest is one of the three major components of bodybuilding: stimuli, nutrition, and an ample recovery period.

 

[Kracin]

ok well i know some people are sore after each workout for 3 days almost, but even if i do deadlifts near my max for a workout, bench near my max, and do other really strenous exercises like squats as well at high high weights, i feel it for that day, then the day after that im perfectly fine and it feels like i can do it again with ease, how are you supposed to know when your body has had enough rest in between doing things naturally?

 

[kkschaef]

you need to take a day or 2 off sometimes 3. I take 2 days off from weights and one of those days is complete day of rest no training, cardio , or work. After 6 weeks i take a full week off.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

I take 1 day off a week.