I was at Bally's tonight and I picked up the Bally's magazine and I was looking through it and there was a small snippet saying that every 3-4 months you should take a week off of weight training and do something else.

Is this valid? I'm not sure if I could give up weights for a week If I did, I was thinking of doing cardio (bleh!) or cardio and yoga.

Nelie, I do take breaks from weights sometimes... Like last week I didn't go for 6 days! That is alot for me . I didn't conciously do it but it was my body just asking for a break I think. It does feel good to go back after a short hiatus, I felt much stronger and revived. A lot of people worry that they won't go back. But after 20 years at the gym I don't worry about that at all, exercise is a given for me...

In Body for Life Bill Philips recommends it after a 12 week challenge...

NELIE - The weight lifting break sounds a little like the one described in Body For Life. That plan calls for a week off every 12 weeks, though I am not sure it is totally off from working out or just the weights. I am with you, I wouldn't want to give up the gym for a week unless I was sick or on vacation, especially once I get into the routine. I see that CW# going down.

Hi Nelie
I have always taken a week off every few months. For years I have done this and I believe it helps your progress. If something unplanned comes up (like recently for me) I *use* that as my opportunity to take some needed time off . I find that ,when I return, my muscles 'over' respond to the weights like when I first started lifting. Even though I might be weaker on my first day back, I am usually stronger than before I left after a couple weeks. Kinda like 1 step back, 2 steps forward kinda deal.....


XOXO
L2L

Same here- it's really hard to stay away for me, but when I come back, I find after the first week back, I'm making more progress. I usually have my week around a vacation or lately surgery . The times when I've not taken a break for more than 4 months, I find my recovery time between workouts get progressively worse, and my knees stay perpetually sore. But I'm waaay more ancient than you are

Mel

Mel.
C'mon Lady! You are in fabulous shape (minus one bum part that your workin' on...)
You are no where near ancient....
Your proof that having birthdays DOES NOT mean falling apart, it means getting better and wiser..
XOXO
L2L

PS
You would be surprised how many 19 year olds think I look awesome 'for someone my age'. While all the ladies 15/20 years older think I am lucky to still be so young......
It's all relative......
HeeHee

Hear, Hear!!! I'll drink to that...

And yup - I take breaks every so often myself - I can usually tell when my performance isn't 'up to par' and it's time to take a week off - although I still do cardio (and YUP I still get up at 4 am - Chalupa del Fuego INSISTS on it! )