Skipping a day

[WantingMuscle7]

I hate taking breaks it makes me feel lazy need like a 1 week party to keep mind off weights.

[verbatimreturned]

same thing with me thats why i said its hard to stay out of the gym, its nice to not have to go there but at the end of the day, it seems to be "uncomplete"

[Playmaker7]

Originally Posted by WantingMuscle7

I hate taking breaks it makes me feel lazy need like a 1 week party to keep mind off weights.

I'd still think about workouting even if I had a one week party. I'm only 15 so my muscles can take working every day.

[Darkhorse]

Originally Posted by Playmaker7

I'd still think about workouting even if I had a one week party. I'm only 15 so my muscles can take working every day.

Quick lesson in "Supercompensation Theory"

It's pretty simple. The theory itself is based on the fact that training depletes substances like glycogen and slows protein synthesis. Training is catabolic, draining the body of nutrients. So, theoretically to grow you need to rest for the appropriate/optimal amount of time AND replace nutrients lost. If both are done correctly (rest and nutrition), then in theory your body will increase protein synthesis and store more nutrients than it had resulting in bigger muscles. This theory falls in line with the famous:"Less is More" approach.

[BG5150]

Originally Posted by Playmaker7

I'd still think about workouting even if I had a one week party. I'm only 15 so my muscles can take working every day.

How wrong you are! You may not be sore or tired after working out every day, but you'll never get big that way.

I'll say it again (it's been said a million time over here and on almost any other board you may adventure to--but why would you go to another board!):

Your muscles grow OUT of the gym, not in it!!!!!

[Darkhorse]

That's right. Supercompensation theory exists for anyone who's human. Whether you're a track athlete or a 15 year old with a ton of test running through your veins, you need to replenish before you return to the gym or else you'll stagnate. I made the explanation as easy to follow as possible. However, there are ways around this. An example is DFHT. You accumulate fatigue with a ton of volume for 2 weeks, then you take a week with very drastically cut volume so your muscles can recover, regenerate, and grow.

In light of this, Playmaker, I think that if you are going every day, think about taking a full week with either drastically reduced volume or frequency (twice per week) to let your body fully replace what it lost.

[Playmaker7]

I guess I'll have to look into doing this. Could I still do cardio every day? I definitly wouldn't feel right doing nothing for a day. And does it make a difference that I use a bowflex?

[WantingMuscle7]

Are you bulking? also how long do you do cardio? it really shouldnt matter with the bowflex do they have anything for bench though? Do you only use bowflex or do you have other equipment.

[Darkhorse]

Originally Posted by Playmaker7

I guess I'll have to look into doing this. Could I still do cardio every day? I definitly wouldn't feel right doing nothing for a day. And does it make a difference that I use a bowflex?

I guess the take home point for you since you aren't lifting at a gym is to go balls to the wall for at the most 3 on, 1 off (cardio is ok) and keep going as long as you can. Once you start feeling the warning signs of overtraining:
1. very tired all day
2. dragging ass
3. slight loss of appetite
4. weights start to decrease. What you used to do you can't no more.

If any and all's the case, just take a week of more rest and decreased volume. I don't believe in taking a full week off. Your CNS will heal fine with the reduced volume and frequency. Alot of people are so worried about overtraining it limits their potential. Again, just watch for the warning signs. If it happens pull back the reigns for a week or two. ;)

[Playmaker7]

Originally Posted by WantingMuscle7

Are you bulking? also how long do you do cardio? it really shouldnt matter with the bowflex do they have anything for bench though? Do you only use bowflex or do you have other equipment.

I just use a bowflex. Very occasionally(like tomorrow) will I use free weights, so if I were to go over a friends house that has them I would use them. I'm not exactly sure if this would be bulking, but I do certain exercises 15 reps, 4 different times. I'm mainly trying to fill in lose skin areas. I lost 40 pounds combind in the last two summers.

Cardio I really do a lot. I either jog on 6mph to 7 mph for 20 minutes or I will do an interval thing that takes 23 minutes in which I jog 5 mins, run 2, jog 1, run 2, jog 1, run 2, jog 1, run2, and then cool down and walk on 4.5mph for 7 minutes. I jog on 6 mph and run on 9mph.

On the bowflex you can simulate using a bench with some exercises you can do.