Going on holiday

debrag12

So I'm looking to start SL 5x5 but I am going on holiday the end of May so want be doing any lifting 20th May to 3rd June.

Should I on return reduce my weights or stick to the last weight I used?

I know it's only 2 weeks but it could make a difference, I don't know lol

TravelsWithHuckleberry

Anytime you take a week or more off, it is generally recommended that you deload your weights by about 10%, then work back up to your previous levels.

Graceious1

This is good to know

xcalygrl

I just got back from almost two weeks off. What I did:
Squats - stayed the same. I'm currently deloaded to fix form issues, so I didn't feel the need to deload again.
OHP - stayed the same. I was deloaded already to fix my form, so I didn't feel the need to deload again.
Deads - deloaded 10%.
Bench - deloaded 5 pounds (5%)
Rows - stayed the same.

SL recommends a 10% decrease if you take off longer than a week, but I think it is highly dependent on the person. (I.e. for me I don't know always need to deload 10%, but I also know my body and capabilities when it comes to lifting. Someone else may need the full 10% (or even a bit more) depending on where they are in their lifting journey.)

canadianlbs

xcalygrl wrote: »

SL recommends a 10% decrease if you take off longer than a week, but I think it is highly dependent on the person.

i agree about this. the only universal reason i can think of to recommend a deload is just to make sure the person doesn't find themselves down in the hole and then realise their core or their back muscles aren't strong enough anymore to bring the weight up without harm. it's a sensible precaution but i don't think it's a hard-and-fast prescription or anything.

do it just to make sure that you don't hurt yourself on your first new day back. but if it turns out not to be needed for you, then don't worry about it. sometimes i lose strength during a break, but just as often my system finally catches up on the work i've been giving it and i find myself stronger or at the same point as before.

mirrim52

I took 6 days off when I was sick/scheduling problems, and I struggled to complete the weights I was repeating. I would deload after two weeks. You can always up it if it is too easy, but it is very frustrating to fail on something you were able to do before. So, mentally, a deload is nice.

Graceious1

I've deloaded on my squats, only until I pick up my squat rack (later on). Just because as the load has got heavier I struggle to pick the bar up from the floor and put it on my shoulders. I felt like a weakling at first but now I just feel that it needed to be done.

I say deload it you have to then build up again. At least you are still going so well done for carrying on!!!