posted Thu, 07/12/2018 - 14:28
1929
Taking time off. When to cycle again?
ad
Been working 16 hour days. This shit is killing me. Few more weeks of this then hopefully back to normal. Feeling like I will be starting over in the gym. Probably train for a few months then hit a deca cycle to get going again. Training has been 1 to 2x a week at best for last few months. I seem to be holding onto a lot of my size despite not really training or eating like I should.
What is a good amount of time training again before hitting a cycle after time off? I’m not a newb. I’ve been lifting for many years. So does the same logic apply that would apply to a newb just starting? FYI I’m still very active and work has been very physically demanding.
- Bookmark
- 0
- 0
Typically old school rule of time is TIME ON equals TIME OFF.
I haven’t been to the gym since I post this. Hit chest today. Thought I would have been weak. Hit 275 flat bench for 3 sets of 10. Felt great! I actually went in to the gym feeling discouraged as I thought I would have lost a lot of strength. Legs tomorrow. Time to start thinking about a winter bulk. :-)
Personally when everything is on point, you’ll know when that sweet stop hits.. macros are perfect, sleeping like a baby, lifting routine progressing. Might be a couple of weeks or months. That’s when to hop back on.
I had a 3 month break due to the build up and birth of my daughter but once the dust settled I got straight back balls deep into the lifestyle and a blast shortly followed 2 weeks later. Diet has never been better! Sleep on the other hand could be improved !
I've taken almost 8 months off now from everything. Gear and training. My body was tired both emotionally and physically. Pretty soon I'm going to get things back together. Except taking a different approach this time.
Anyways the only time I trained everyday was contest prep. Most of the time I did eod or two on one off. You have to figure out what your optimal training split is and what give you the best results as everyone is different. Then I'd hit it hard and consisitently for a few weeks along with getting your diet right and once you notice some mirror differences then start up.
Gives your body plenty of time to get into a good pace, along with your diet , develop a plan and once you start feeling good , add the heat.
Half my battle right now is even when I’m at the gym it’s a chore because I’m already exhausted. My head is not in the game at all. I think it’s time I take some more time off until I get through this and can be dedicated 100%. Maybe rekindle my enthusiasm for going to the gym again.
RustyhookerYou already know about reps range for mass growth. Keeping that in mind and avoiding under 8reps imo will be a key. Youll still move up in size with muscle memory but avoid fatigue in connective tissues. Last winter cycle i gave pales approach a try and was successful. More intensity and more off days for rest.
Can u send a link to Pales approach? I can back this up by saying I switched from a traditional high volume body part split to DC training out of curiousity cuz the connective tissue in my joints was killing me due to injuries. Turns out all that volume was what was crushing my joints and I wasn’t growing as well cuz I wasn’t using heavy enough weights in fear of pain. Actually the rest pause to failure for 1 set is easy for me since I was always doing rest pause, drop sets, or down the racks for almost every exercise of every set
RustyhookerVarious posts. I like volume to failure but adding in one extra rest day alleviated the pains and spurred growth. Maybe hell pop in here as well. Getting old sucks.
Yup; getting old really sucks! But no one has ever avoided it so.....
Getting old is not for the weak!!
16 hour days, ouch
no way you are gonna get enough sleep to recover. Your body won't play ball with that sort of schedule and a cycle on top.
I always find in those type of times it is hard to completely walk away, so I tend to do compounds, you know to do more with less. Keep strength, keep mass, keep ego intact and when youre ready to really go at it again you wont have lost anything.
AnonIf you've been lifting for many years, lifting 1/2 times a week the last few months has probably been more good than bad for your training, there is a retired state trooper in my gym and he once asked me if I ever take time off, I of course laughed and said absolutely not. He said once a year he takes a straight 2 months off and doesn't lift a weight, hes 63 never been injured and jacked. I still can't find it in me to take any time off though.
Muscle memory it is great if you were before in shape you will go back to the same shape before
less time than newbie
The same logic will apply to your case get back in shape and get on cycle
Very true. Hoping to come back with new vigor. These old bones still got a few tricks left in them.
Hell yea man you already putting the work in and hitting twice a week while working 16hr I salute you for that man
God bless
Is start once you have time to hit the gym regularly and focus on food again if you held your weight and work is physically demanding look at the guys who do cross fit and take gear my job is basically like cross fit
My biggest loss of size has been my legs. Upper body is holding strong. Looking forward to those first few leg days and being sore as fk for a week! Lol
Lol yeah the first few leg days your legs will be like noodles