End of Cycle2

paprad

So, today was Test Day for Cycle 2. I have had a rough time this cycle - what with twinges in the knee and on 2-3 occasions, pain in the upper back (between the shoulders) - so though I managed to finish all the reps, I took a deep breath and sternly told my macho ego that discretion is the better part of valour, blah blah - so I plan to play it safe and keep the same weight for Cycle3. Anyway, because of the dumbbell increment constraint, I had gone up 20% from Cycle 1-2, so technically, Cycle 3 will be at the weight I would've reached had I stuck to 10% increments.

pandorakick

I think that is a good thing to do.

For myself, I've had such trouble in the 4th cycle that I probably should have kept the weights the same as in the 3rd cycle. I didn't though, which had as a result that week 1 and 2 of cycle 4 went ok, but after that I not only had trouble getting the prescribed reps in, but even going worse then before. Less then 6 reps and such. This caused me to retake my 10 rm test, effective deloading to cycle 3 levels in my current (5th) cycle.

Better take it slow but steady then taking 2 steps back in the longer run!

paprad

Thanks for that insight, Pandora

jasonheyd

Yup, good call...

Don't fudge the 5th week of a cycle. If you're not finishing it with proper form, or if you've got pain somewhere, stick with the weight you're at and repeat the cycle.

If you have pain, I'd also suggest that you skip a week, rest / heal up, and pick up where you left off. If you have to take more than a week, just restart the cycle.

It sounds bad, but it'll pay off in the long run... A "setback" of a week or few is far better than over-training, and a LOT better than 6-8 weeks off to heal an injury.

paprad

Thanks Jason, I agree. After having lost months to various injuries last year, I am not given to being too adventurous. If my body squeaks I stop and listen.

sun_fish

Yup, good call...

Don't fudge the 5th week of a cycle. If you're not finishing it with proper form, or if you've got pain somewhere, stick with the weight you're at and repeat the cycle.

If you have pain, I'd also suggest that you skip a week, rest / heal up, and pick up where you left off. If you have to take more than a week, just restart the cycle.

It sounds bad, but it'll pay off in the long run... A "setback" of a week or few is far better than over-training, and a LOT better than 6-8 weeks off to heal an injury.

paprad - I think that was a good decision to stick with the same weights. And jasonheyd - great advice here, I need to remember this. I have had my fair share of injuries, and made the mistake of ignoring them. Never a good thing. I like the idea of a rest week in between cycles.