hammiehaack
Active Member
Who takes a week off from weight training and how often? I've been doing this for a couple of years now and am wondering if breaks help. Advice please.
Who takes a week off?
- Thread starter hammiehaack
- Start date
mrsmel
Cathlete
I take an intentional week off every time I go on vacation, which is usually 2 or 3 times per year. At other times, I've taken time off due to work travel, family issues, or whatnot. I like taking breaks on vacation because I use that as my downtime to really do nothing much at all. At other times I've taken quite a bit of time off (like 5 or 6 weeks) due to caring for aging parents, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my fitness level came back.
I think everybody's different and you have to do what works for you. I like taking breaks when I'm off my routine anyway (away on vacation), and when it happens due to just life stuff--well, I try not to worry about it too much. For me, the whole point of exercising is to manage stress and keep fit. If I'm stressing about my work outs, then it doesn't really achieve goal #1.
I guess my advice is, do you like taking breaks? If so, do it guilt free. If it stresses you out, then don't. Just my $.02, take it or leave it, of course!
anne
I think everybody's different and you have to do what works for you. I like taking breaks when I'm off my routine anyway (away on vacation), and when it happens due to just life stuff--well, I try not to worry about it too much. For me, the whole point of exercising is to manage stress and keep fit. If I'm stressing about my work outs, then it doesn't really achieve goal #1.
I guess my advice is, do you like taking breaks? If so, do it guilt free. If it stresses you out, then don't. Just my $.02, take it or leave it, of course!
anne
michefit
Cathlete
I don't like taking a week off - I am guilty of sometimes missing my weekly rest day. I just feel sluggish if I don't move my body in some shape or form. We are supposed to take a week off for STS and I am dreading it - I don't know if I will be able to hold back for a week. I don't rest because I prefer it that way (feels better to workout) I guess we are all different!
LaughingWater
Cathlete
I take a week off every 2 - 2.5 months or so.
I love my week off and look at it as my time to recharge both physically and mentally, especially after I've pushed really hard with the weights. I always come back eager and strong. I suspect breaks help keep injuries at bay too.
To avoid the sluggish feeling Michefit mentioned, I usually enjoy a low key yoga practice.
I love my week off and look at it as my time to recharge both physically and mentally, especially after I've pushed really hard with the weights. I always come back eager and strong. I suspect breaks help keep injuries at bay too.
To avoid the sluggish feeling Michefit mentioned, I usually enjoy a low key yoga practice.
teddy16410
Cathlete
STS is more of a recovery week than a rest week. Thats how most periodization programs work.
Rest = do nothing- go crazy!
Recovery= light cardio, yoga, pilates, JUST NO LIFTING WEIGHTS
unless of course you feel your body is completely & totally fried which might require a few do nothing but rest days.
Sonya Arellano
Cathlete
I take a week off every 8-12 weeks depending on my rotation. It is imparitive to take time off to let your muscle repair. It is usually an active recovery week (as teddy mentioned) and I do light cardio 3x that week.
lcobb2
Cathlete
ITA with Sonya and Teddy. My "recovery" days are very light cardio or yoga. Or, if I have to travel for work (or am sick), but it's usually not more than two days.
I also never liked to take a week off and never did until I got so fried I decided to follow the advice to take the week off. I couldn't believe how much better I felt when I came back the following week. Energized and stronger. That made me realize how much my body needed that rest. I had been doing Cathe's monthly rotations for over a year when I just felt totally exhausted and dreading every w/o I owned. Now I do take a rest or recovery week after a couple of months and was really glad to see Cathe had them scheduled in the STS rotations. Believe me your body needs this time off.
michefit
Cathlete
Hmmmm...I do have some yoga tapes hanging around. And I love LIS from 4DS which gets the blood going without too much strain. Reading everyone's input I will make the most of the recovery week and savour the energy gained by it. It is always great to read everyone's experiences and advice!
teddy16410
Cathlete
YEAH!!! We have another convert!
Melclear
Cathlete
What is light cardio?
I've been reading this thread carefully, since I am coming up on my recovery week with STS. Now I'm wondering, what do you consider "light" cardio? So many of Cathe's DVD's are tough, that it's hard to call most of them "light". Can anyone give some suggestions of what you mean? Thanks!
I've been reading this thread carefully, since I am coming up on my recovery week with STS. Now I'm wondering, what do you consider "light" cardio? So many of Cathe's DVD's are tough, that it's hard to call most of them "light". Can anyone give some suggestions of what you mean? Thanks!
larks mom
Cathlete
Well, I've been enjoying the thought of a "week off", but intended to do intense cardio. Now I wonder. A whole week of recovery/light workouts? The past several years it's been hard to even take one day totally "off", I usually at least used my stationary bike for 30 minutes. Will this be like withdrawal? No IMAX2? Are you all serious?
Lynn M.
Cathlete
Hi-
I firmly believe in taking some time off as rest weeks during the year. Usually I take one week off where I do nothing ( not even light cardio) on purpose a year. Then, I'll take sporadic weeks during the year, where I'll do light cardio or only work out 2 or 3x that week.
Do I go crazy w/ reduced activity? Yep, you bet! For the first couple of days, I'm sluggish and grouchy. But after those first few days of the week, it goes away and I enjoy the extra time I have available during the day and the break of figuring out how and when I'm going to workout.
The best part and the big reason I believe in them? You come back totally recharged and stronger than ever. I've broken through some strength plateaus, by just taking some time off and coming back the following week.
If you struggle with taking this time off, I would suggest doing it while you are on vacation or when your usual daily routine isn't so routine, so you are less apt to miss it.
Trust me.. they work.. don't be afraid!
Lynn M.
I firmly believe in taking some time off as rest weeks during the year. Usually I take one week off where I do nothing ( not even light cardio) on purpose a year. Then, I'll take sporadic weeks during the year, where I'll do light cardio or only work out 2 or 3x that week.
Do I go crazy w/ reduced activity? Yep, you bet! For the first couple of days, I'm sluggish and grouchy. But after those first few days of the week, it goes away and I enjoy the extra time I have available during the day and the break of figuring out how and when I'm going to workout.
The best part and the big reason I believe in them? You come back totally recharged and stronger than ever. I've broken through some strength plateaus, by just taking some time off and coming back the following week.
If you struggle with taking this time off, I would suggest doing it while you are on vacation or when your usual daily routine isn't so routine, so you are less apt to miss it.
Trust me.. they work.. don't be afraid!
Lynn M.