Resting during a training cycle is something that is debated by many people. Do we need days off or not? If so, how often? I believe that the answer is yes and no. What the hell do I mean you might ask? Read on to find out!
It is my belief that you should always be listening to your body. I do not believe you need artificially imposed rest periods while working through a training cycle. Yes, there are times your body is going to need a day off, but it will tell you that. When your body lets you know that it needs rest go ahead and take a day off.
When I prepared for my first bodybuilding show I trained every single day for 8 straight months. I made some major gains and was in the best shape of my life. It just depends on your intensity and the needs of your body. I was able to keep pushing forward. I paid attention to what my body needed, but I was able to complete the 8 months of training without any rest.
Does that mean rest is overrated? Perhaps! At the same time, I am currently doing the MAX Muscle Plan by Brad Schoenfeld and it has me lifting only 3 days a week right now. It is a periodized program that changes up how often you lift on a regular basis. I feel I must note that rest is just one of many training variables that can be manipulated in order to give yourself the best results possible. If you are someone who needs rest, insert it into your plan. If you are like me and your body can take the punishment, rest as needed.
