Question re strength loss when switching to endurance

[jillybean]

Hi Cathe! I have been lifting heavy (well, heavy for me!) for about 3 months now using S&H, PS, and Push Pull and while I love it, I am getting quite burned out. I haven't used Power Hour or Muscle Endurance in what seems like forever. I am eager to return to a lighter/faster lifting style, but am also apprehensive about losing the strength and size I worked so hard to acquire. Any suggestions on how long of a break I can take without sacrificing muscle mass? Thank you.

 

[Soosan]

I've been doing a strength rotation and have the same concern, Jillybean. Maybe do strength and endurance workouts during the same week? Or one week strength, the next endurance and so on for a rotation?

 

[Flextoid]

Hello, Jellybean;

Acording to the 2002 MassBuilders' International Emposium, the length of time of the break you can take without sacrificing muscle mass is as follows:

Measure the diameter (in inches) of your biceps and thighs at the biggest part of the muscle bellies with a tape measure, and add these four numbers together;

Take this sum, and divide it by the number of strength DVD's you have in your collection;

Add 7.

That is the number of days you can take off without doing a Cathe strength orientated routine and not risk losing mass. If you do Power Our or Muscle Endurance both in one week, you can add 9 rather than 7.

Hope this helps.

Sam

 

[emy]

Why is the number of strength DVDs you own relevant? Am I retarded because it sounds like you are joking!

 

[Soosan]

LOL, Sam!:7

 

[jillybean]

Sam, though your thoughts were quite valid and interesting, I am bumping to get a second opinion. Thank you.

 

[Brit-Josie]

I'd be interested to know where this information came from - just did a google search on the MassBuilders' International Emposium and found nothing so I changed emposium to symposium and just got back links on plant growth!!

 

[jillybean]

I think Sam has done his share of 'plant growth' if you know what I mean.

 

[sara33]

Good one, Jillybean!!!

 

[hippahips]

>Measure the diameter (in inches) of your biceps and thighs at
>the biggest part of the muscle bellies with a tape measure,
>and add these four numbers together;

Shouldn't this be only 2 numbers? Diameter of biceps and thighs?



Jillybean:

I once asked a question re overtraining, and someone told me I can actually skip a week of workouts without losing any strength gains. So if you follow this line of thinking, I guess you can do a week's worth of endurance work without losing any strength. As for me, I lost a bit of strength after a week off last Christmas. I had to lower my weights for PS by up to 5 lbs., but this was only for one session. I got to use my usual weights again afterwards. This is why I'm choosing to alternate one week of strength training and another week of endurance. This has been working well for me so far. Hope this helps.

Pinky