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Rest

post #1 of 9
6/13/08 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, so let's say you've just finished a 4, 6, or 8-week lifting program of some kind and you're about to switch to a different program so as to keep your muscles guessing. Do you take any time off between programs? If so, how much?

I'm wrapping up a 12-week program right now that was divided into three different 4-week sessions with no breaks in between. I'm thinking about taking a week off before I start lifting again, with maybe just a little jogging here and there. Sound like a good idea?
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post #2 of 9
6/13/08 at 2:45pm
Yes, good idea. Rest is important. In fact, overtraining can be a killer for any program. Just make sure that when you rest your body you're not also resting your diet.
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post #3 of 9
6/13/08 at 3:36pm
Why not do the same program again with more weight?
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post #4 of 9
6/13/08 at 5:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by why View Post
Why not do the same program again with more weight?
I might very well do that since I like the program so much. However, I'm still curious to know how other lifters in this forum handle their rest breaks. How often? For how long? And do you do any cardio during that time or do you take a complete break from exercise?
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post #5 of 9
6/13/08 at 5:39pm
It depends entirely on the intensity and the amount of work each program requires. Personally, most of my programs last 4-6 months, and normally I take a week off in between programs, with a half week off during the program.
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post #6 of 9
6/13/08 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Threadbearer View Post
Okay, so let's say you've just finished a 4, 6, or 8-week lifting program of some kind and you're about to switch to a different program so as to keep your muscles guessing. Do you take any time off between programs? If so, how much?

I'm wrapping up a 12-week program right now that was divided into three different 4-week sessions with no breaks in between. I'm thinking about taking a week off before I start lifting again, with maybe just a little jogging here and there. Sound like a good idea?

Sounds like a good idea to me
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post #7 of 9
6/14/08 at 2:54am
Yes! This exact thing is called "Strategic Deconditioning" there's been studys and research on it's effectiveness (don't have 15 minutes to try and dig them up). Also, this practice is actually preached as part of the programs like HST and in others using various forms. http://www.thinkmuscle.com/articles/haycock/hst-04.htm
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post #8 of 9
6/14/08 at 4:50am
I judge all my breaks off how my joints feel...if my wrists, shoulders, elbows, and knees all feel good I'll never rest. If they start to hurt or pop I take some time off and swim. Swimming is still a good workout and the fluid motion is good for recovery as well during time off. I always take off two weeks from lifting before school starts to go back home from this coast (east) to the west coast but I still swim while I'm home.
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post #9 of 9
6/16/08 at 4:19pm
I know some people that like to take a week resting period after going a full 12 weeks. So if you are going to rest, take a week, max. Any longer and you could fall off the boat!
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