How often do you take breaks?

[blinkwatt]

I think it's time I finally take a week off from lifting,I haven't even taken 3 days in a row off since I started lifting hard which was 6 months ago. I have tried everything,changing workout style,new lifts and so on,even upping the daily protein intake,but I'm not gaining muscle like I was 3 or 4 months ago. Is one week off good enough for my body to "reset" and start a new? I heard this could help me "get over the hump". I still want to do legs and cardio though once or twice during my break. Does anyone have any objections to taking a week off?

 

[Viroid]

Its because the first few months when you start working out the gains come very fast. Your body has now adapted to the training. 7-12 days off would be a great idea. This will cause some reversal to the adaptations of training Have fun.

 

[md3sign]

I take a week off every 2-3 months. Just listen to your body and once you stop progressing and your workouts start sucking, it's time to rest.

 

[blinkwatt]

Good to know,thanks guys. I think I will go a week or so more then shut it down for awhile.

 

[Ricky]

I generally time them with vacations, although I haven't been on a vacation in a while, but will go a few places in March.

 

[mrRuckus]

There's no reason to take a break if progression hasn't stopped. It's it's slowing to a crawl it's probably time for a break before it gets too bad.

And i wouldn't even take a complete break off. I start back off horribly if i take a complete break. If i were you i'd just goof around in the gym for the next week. Lift some weights but go pretty light.... active recovery.

 

[md3sign]

Sure you lose a bit of strength if you take a complete break, but it's nothing you can't gain back in a week or less. I've taken as much as a month off from lifting completely and it only took me a week to get back to where I was in weight/strength.

 

[6-heads lewis]

i dont like having set break times, since things always pop up that make you take a rest anyway: helping a friend move, feeling sick, big test coming up, long day at work, etc. In this case I dont force it and take the day off. I havent taken a real breaks since i started 6 months ago, yet havent run into any serious plateaus.