Taking a week off

xxharleyquinnxx

Does anyone do this? I've read it can be good for some people but not so good for others? I normally exercise 4-5 times a week but was going to just take a week off however don't want my fitness levels to just disappear (they didn't last time but when I restarted exercising it did seem harder). What do people think?

TavistockToad

I do - it's generally when I go on holiday, or sometimes the week after a race etc. rest is good sometimes!

AsISmile

One week shouldn't just dissapear. Especially if you already have good fitness levels from working out so often.

Two exceptions might be if you have been sick, but then your body went through a battle, and if you have asthma.

pzarnosky

I like to take a week off from lifting a couple times a year. It's supposedly good for you and lets your muscles fully recover from the schedule.. Idk if it does anything but it's kinda nice to take a break. I fully take time off when I do it. No cardio or anything. Getting back into is hard sometimes though. I think it's a preference thing.

slideaway1

It will be fine. You might struggle on the first few sessions when you start back but you will soon be back to full fitness and then some. You wont loose fitness/muscle mass/strength etc in just one week. Just try to keep your diet consistent and on point during your week off. Enjoy it and come back stronger.

kindrabbit

I take a break when I feel my body needs it. I've been training in one way or another for 2.5 years now and I think I've taken a week off maybe 3 or 4 times. It does seem to renew my energy and my enthusiasm.

kwtilbury

It won't hurt to take a week off a few times a year. The problem is that for many, the week turns into several months.

Personally, I don't take a week off simply because I love training.

martyqueen52

I just came back form taking a week off. I was having some serious issues with groin pain from squatting so heavy.

Pain ended up going away, and I feel a lot better. I still went to the park and walked my dogs a few miles daily though.

Take a week off, recover.

shor0814

For lifting the 5/3/1 program has a built in deload week every 4 weeks. This isn't a week of but it allows you a break to recover and works well so far.

cwolfman13

you're fitness doesn't just disappear taking a week off...c'mon...

numerous programs will have you de-load periodically to include full rest weeks.

I take a week vacation pretty much every 3-4 months or so and I don't train during vacation...so obviously I take a week off. I'm pretty fit.

BoxerBrawler

I take a week to a week and a half off every May when I go on vacation. I just do some light cardio/weights but nothing serious at all. I find that once I get back and get into it again I get really nice results in a short amount of time after the break. I don't have a planned rest day and exercise 7 days per week. I lift three out of those seven. The day I wake up and feel like I literally have cement blocks on my feet becomes my rest day. That might happen one a month or it might happen once a year... Anyway. A rest is good for the body and for the mind.

TheVirgoddess

Of course your fitness won't "disappear". I take time off when I feel like I need it.