Taking 1-2 weeks off lifting completely?

[Deleted member 16501]

I've been lifting at least 3 times a week (except Christamas week only 2) every week for the past 4-5 months or something.

I've gotten leaner recently, really focussing on diet, and I kind of cbf with the same repetitive lifting exercises right now- want to take at least this week off (haven't lifted this week) and maybe the week after.

Do other semi-serious lifters do this? I just feel mentally exhausted with weights- it's like the meaning has been lost

think I'll to a high intensity cardio + boxing bag session tonight

 

[Deleted member 24278]

No, it's not good

 

[Deleted member 16501]

No, it's not good

meh. doing it anyway

any other endeavour- work, dating etc...people take time off to rejuvinate their mind

dont see how it would be any different with weights

 

[Jason Voorhees]

I wouldn't think much of it unless you cut down to 500 calories per day. You will not lose your mind-muscle connection or your gains in such a short amount of time. However, taking a break can disrupt the routine. It is preferable to take short breaks more frequently than take one long break.

 

[Deleted member 16501]

I wouldn't think much of it unless you cut down to 500 calories per day. You will not lose your mind-muscle connection or your gains in such a short amount of time. However, taking a break can disrupt the routine. It is preferable to take short breaks more frequently than take one long break.

yeah I will be sure to eat good protein- may even just do a full body session on the weekend each week

but my body is just exhausted by thinking of weight, technique, which days I'm doing, which split, high rep low rep etc

 

[Deleted member 23324]

I've been lifting at least 3 times a week (except Christamas week only 2) every week for the past 4-5 months or something.

I've gotten leaner recently, really focussing on diet, and I kind of cbf with the same repetitive lifting exercises right now- want to take at least this week off (haven't lifted this week) and maybe the week after.

Do other semi-serious lifters do this? I just feel mentally exhausted with weights- it's like the meaning has been lost

think I'll to a high intensity cardio + boxing bag session tonight

Don’t listen to the people saying not to do it. Coming from somebody who’s been lifting for 4-5 years, your body needs a 1-2 week break to recover completely every 3 months or so.

Make sure you’re eating in a calorie surplus with high protein on this break though, that should not change. You will need it most since you’re recovering.

If you’re a lazy person I would only do a 1 week break though. Since a 2 week break may make you lose your momentum too much.

Advanced lifters who have been lifting for 10+ years tend to take months off at a time. When you have been lifting for this long you won’t lose any strength or muscle.

 

[Deleted member 21735]

I lift every day

 

[Deleted member 16501]

Don’t listen to the people saying not to do it. Coming from somebody who’s been lifting for 4-5 years, your body needs a 1-2 week break to recover completely every 3 months or so.

Make sure you’re eating in a calorie surplus with high protein on this break though, that should not change. You will need it most since you’re recovering.

If you’re a lazy person I would only do a 1 week break though. Since a 2 week break may make you lose your momentum too much.

Advanced lifters who have been lifting for 10+ years tend to take months off at a time. When you have been lifting for this long you won’t lose any strength or muscle.

great advice, thanks mate!

 

[Mouthbreath]

At worst it won't make a difference. Muscle memory is real, so even if you would lose muscle, you could regain it fast.

 

[Solar]

1 Week is fine but 2 weeks can make you lose you a rep or 2

 

[zharupodrugu]

If your workouts not intense with high volume, you probably dont need that.

 

[Deleted member 16501]

If your workouts not intense with high volume, you probably dont need that.

i had been doing pretty intense high volume recently

 

[keep positive 24/7]

1. alright bro, sounds like youre probably lifting with too high of a frequency? are you lifting like 5-6 times a week? try cutting it to 3 times, using HIT principles

2. you will naturally take a few weeks off per year due to holidays and such, so its not really necessary to force urself into taking them.

back to point number 1, youre probs lifting with too high a frequency, which feels like shit and harms gains. try out HIT over 3 days a week and you will fall back in love with training again. yes, u can still "overtrain" with low frequency HIT, but, back to point 2, youl take weeks or days off naturally if u live semi normal life