Strength training: taking a break without losing muscles?

Adshill

In keeping with the "fitness" theme....how many calories are in each chill pill?

Apparently, a ton. Nobody ever wants one.

Ain't that the truth!!

Neahpata

bump for good infos

crisanderson27

Alrighty guys, back on topic a moment please.

I'd told the OP in a PM I'd explain to her how typical pushups aren't truly strength training. Nor of course are any of the DvD 'workouts' that I know of. YES, you can increase your strength (this was actually very adequately explained by Miss jetscreaminagain), but that isn't what 'strength training' is about.

This is going to be somewhat simplified, but it should be pretty easy to grasp. The main keys are total volume, direct stress put on the muscles, and progressive loading. I'll cover the first two points together. What total volume and direct stress mean, is that lifting a weight heavy enough for you to fail in 5-8 reps...which would normally on this board could be considered strength training, FOR ONLY 5-8 reps...doesn't qualify. YES you stressed your muscles, NO you didn't load them enough to stimulate the gains you want. That's why you must repeat with multiple sets. Typically if you use a weight heavy enough to fail in 5 reps, repeat 5x...if you do it to 8 reps, repeat 3x.

The other point I mentioned is progressive loading. This is very, very important. Most good strength training programs require that you increase your weight every time you perform the exercise. This FORCES gains in strength. It's also why a home set of dumbbells is virtually useless for real strength training (not to mention those DvD's). When you increase your weight lifted by 5lbs once or twice a week...you run out of expensive weights very quickly.

Anyway, you can call anything you like 'strength training'. But the above points are pretty critical for building actual, effective strength. As I mentioned to another person, you can gain some driving skill by driving your car to work every single day, and the newer you are, the more quickly your driving ability should improve...but in no way would this be considered 'driver training'.

This is why I posted what I did in response to the OP.

mustgetmuscles1

I read a recent study that measured the rate of muscle loss after quitting a strength training program.

(Read that carefully, I had a hard time getting it into one sentence so it may be confusing lol)

The study showed young people (under 30) experienced a relatively slow decrease in strength-- after a few weeks off the strength training program.

As for older people in the study, especially over 50, strength decreased sharply and fairly quickly after they quit lifting weights.

Moral of the story is, if you want to stay young, lift weights. -->Heavy ones!<-- and keep doing it

Jillian Michaels technically doesn't count as strength training. Doesn't mean it's worthless. I think you got your answer already. I skipped the forum drama, but thought the study was worth mentioning. I'll try to find it tonight.

I would be interested in that study if you find it again and want to PM the link.

Like I said earlier it would really depend on a lot of things. Age would be one. Sex, calories, amount of protein intake, other activity, testosterone levels, sleep and so on would all effect the amount and speed of muscle and strength atrophy. Also the amount of muscle you have could effect how much you lose. I imagine a large body builder would lose much more muscle than a smaller person. I am totally guessing on that though. : )

I dont think anyone can answer the question with any certainty. I think a general statement of one to two weeks before muscle loss starts is a pretty safe bet. Maybe up to four weeks before it is even noticeable.

Wonderob

Hold on! Given that most split weight training routines are designed around the principle of training each muscle group once per week,

Only the crappy ones in the muscle mags.

(Edit: Link Added)

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/training-frequency-for-mass-gains.html

I was gearing up for an argument on this but it's pretty interesting actually, thanks

Scott

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The OP received numerous helpful answers, but since then the post has completely derailed. I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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