Strategic Use of the Workout Break

Have you ever heard of the strategic workout break?

When you stop making strength gains during a weight lifting program, you most likely need a break.

With most of you, this will occur anywhere from 8 weeks to 15 weeks or more.

It shouldn't occur much earlier than 8 weeks — ever. If so, you need to closely follow the program and pay attention to the guidelines, tips, and techniques given throughout this course.

For example, you might not be getting enough sleep or you may have too much stress in your life.

You may not be drinking enough water or eating enough protein. Follow the guidelines in this course and you will last a lot longer on each weight lifting cycle.

When it's time to take a break, I want you to thoroughly enjoy this period of time.

How Long is this Workout Break?

Take a full 10 day break. For example, let's say you finished your last workout on a Friday…

Day 1 of Break: Saturday
Day 2 of Break: Sunday
Day 3 of Break: Monday
Day 4 of Break: Tuesday
Day 5 of Break: Wednesday
Day 6 of Break: Thursday
Day 7 of Break: Friday
Day 8 of Break: Saturday
Day 9 of Break: Sunday
Day 10 of Break: Monday

When Monday comes, you'll be ready to start again. You'll actually be more than ready.

Monday counts as another full day since you ended on a Friday and will begin the following Monday.

Do not do any cardio, any weight lifting, or any other strenuous activity during this workout break. You want to totally de-condition your muscles during this period of time.

Your calorie intake should stay the same or lower slightly, and you should never cheat on your diet with bad foods.

You can actually decrease your carb intake to a lower percentage since you won't be doing any strenuous activity. Remember, carbs are there for energy. If you aren't very active each day, you don't need as many of them.

You will have a calorie surplus during the workout break so your body can use these extra nutrients for recovery.

The Break Will Do Amazing Things for Your Body

The required break is very, very important to your progress. It allows your muscles to become unaccustomed to any amount of weight. This is why you can start out with very light weights on the WLC workout programs and still make unbelievable progress.

Do not take this required break for granted.

Do not skip it.

Do not feel guilty about taking some time off.

Your body needs it, and it's a very important part of the muscle building and fat burning strategy.