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AR15.COM
1/31/2008 3:09:18 AM EDT
I have had both of my 2 workouts this week suck ass.  I have had what seems like little strength.  Bench press sucked, dips sucked, squats sucked, pull ups sucked.  

Is this a sign that I need to rest a week?
1/31/2008 3:16:32 AM EDT
[#1]
Could just mean you were tired, or maybe coming down with something.
Resting a week is a trap I wouldn't fall into...it becomes way too easy to take a week off.
1/31/2008 4:08:23 AM EDT
[#2]
Another thing I have noticed is that it seems to take forever to recover.  My chest and shoulders are still sore as hell from Monday's workout.

1/31/2008 4:38:42 AM EDT
[#3]
When I am really sore I don't take a break I get back in the gym and get those acids flowing, and I eat bananas or something with a lot of Potassium.

How many days a week do you work out? If anything I would step it up some instead of taking a break? or maybe switch up your routine some, it depends I guess I would need more info on what you are doing and how often and for how long you have been doing it.

I have had two kick ass work outs in a row now that I switched my work out time from 5pm to 11am. For some reason I get into it so much more when I go at lunch time. What time of day do you work out?
1/31/2008 4:46:39 AM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
When I am really sore I don't take a break I get back in the gym and get those acids flowing, and I eat bananas or something with a lot of Potassium.

How many days a week do you work out? If anything I would step it up some instead of taking a break? or maybe switch up your routine some, it depends I guess I would need more info on what you are doing and how often and for how long you have been doing it.

I have had two kick ass work outs in a row now that I switched my work out time from 5pm to 11am. For some reason I get into it so much more when I go at lunch time. What time of day do you work out?
6pm 3X a week.  I have been hard at it since April.  I had breaks off in July for a sciatic nerve problem, 3 weeks in October for a nasty cold and 3 weeks in December/Jan for the massive headache.  

My gains have pretty much stalled and seem to be back tracking.  I have gained weight though (3 lbs in the past 4 weeks) and my muscles seem to be more defined as ever but at the gym now I am starting to look and feel like a weakling.

(BTW I eat 2 bananas a day)
1/31/2008 5:23:52 AM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:
My gains have pretty much stalled and seem to be back tracking.


Meaning your progress towards heavier weight has slowed or stalled?  I bet it's time for an old-fashioned reset.  Do you keep a workout log?
1/31/2008 5:29:08 AM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
Meaning your progress towards heavier weight has slowed or stalled?
 I bet it's time for an old-fashioned reset.  Do you keep a workout log?
Yep, going no where fast.  In fact it is looking like the stock market.


I don't keep a written log, I keep in in my head.
1/31/2008 5:29:43 AM EDT
[#7]
I would suggest a reset also. I have had a similar thing happen to me, it's definately time for something new I think. My old trainer told me to go low on weight for a couple weeks, I guess you could even do less weight more reps, but yea try that. Don't just take a break though, that won't do any good. And yea, Bananas are the best
1/31/2008 5:45:00 AM EDT
[#8]
One option is going to low weight, high reps like nikki said.  The other option is to go back to a weight on each lift where you know you didn't have a miss and had good bar speed for all reps.  Do that for one workout and raise the weight 5-10 pounds again the next workout, etc etc.  When you get back to where you stalled, you should be able to add 10 pounds and have yourself a new PR.

ETA: That you're stalling on multiple exercises at once though may be telling you it's time for a new program.  Hard to say which at this point.
1/31/2008 9:58:00 AM EDT
[#9]
How long has it been since you took a break?  A deload week is typically recommended as a regular part of a program.  You mentioned before being sore for several days after every workout - sounds like you need some time off.  You could do the light weight, higher rep, lighter intensity course, or you could just take a week off completely - I wouldn't stress about that at all.  Overtraining not only stalls progress, it quite often leads to injury.  Come back rested and with a new routine and your body will thank you.

ETA: Missed the part where you just took 3 weeks off.  How about posting your routine?
1/31/2008 11:32:10 AM EDT
[#10]
Try dropping down to 80% of your current work out weight, same # of reps, and building back up.
1/31/2008 4:54:08 PM EDT
[#11]
dont know if you are like me, but when the weather gets cool and/or low humidity, I dont think about drinking enough fluids.
I put a 28 ounce bottle in my truck each morning and my goal is to have it finished by the time I get home from work. Its more of a constant reminder that I need water, even if Im sitting behind my keyboard all day. I down water when Im headed out to lunch. Running across town for parts, what ever.
2/1/2008 3:03:10 AM EDT
[#12]
I think I am just going to rest for the next couple days.  Tonight is another gym night and I am going to pass.  I got 10 hours of sleep overnight and I am still dragging ass.  Zero energy