LG John

<scary spice>Fooooooooooooooook</scary spice>

I fell ill during the early part of december and then with the festivities at the end of the month I basically didn't go to the gym for a whole month. That month of inactivity has cost me dear as I've lost a LOT of strength. I used to smash 65kg bench press around no problem and now I'm in real trouble after about 3x8 reps

Is there anyway to kick my strength back into touch quickly or have I effectively lost a few months of gain??

ozzy

You don't lose all your gains, but your body does adapt quickly if you give it a big lay-off. Sometimes that's a good thing as you'll shock it now you've started again.

Shouldn't take you long to get back to lifting your old weights. Don't worry, just put in the effort and it'll come back to you.

Stefan

jason4656

when i left thailand to move home to uk, i had been training hard for about the last 2 years, i was benching 140kg for reps, i went back to the gym here after 3 months, i struggled with 60kg for a few reps, but you do have muscle memory, it takes time though, be carefull of your tendons and joints, its the easiest time to injure yourself, if you only took off a short time, say 1 month, it will come back as quick

LG John

Thats encouraging Can't believe you dropped from 140 to 60!! Thats a big loss

Danbo

Im trying to work up from the cocktail stick with a polo on each end......I can do 5 reps now!!!

Soon Im hoping to be able to lift a pencil with wagon wheels on each end.

ozzy

Good effort Danbo

3 months is a loooonnnng time away from training. Just think of the gains you can make with that length of training behind you.

Stefan

beemerboy

danbo, pah, i can single curl them....

i'm on to ford 5½jx13 steel wheels on a broom handle for my bench pressing!


BB

Danbo

I can but dream of the strength that you must posess!!!!

Do you drink those power shakes???? I find Macdonalds chocolate is the most beneficial to me!!!

LG John

LMAO

lmsbman

I like to go to the gym to work out.......





















how to look good, without having to lift all those heavy weights

milo

muscle memory is a wonderful thing

taking time off is good - it allows your cns to rest and ensures that all your stabiliser muscles (which can get hit 3 or 4 times a week normally) are fully rested and recovered.

chances are (it happens this way with most people), after a long layoff (>1 week), you will come back lifting lesser weights. but after 2-3 weeks of rapid increases, you should end up stronger than before.

taking a month off is a little ott imo, but a week off every couple of months is a wise move.

all this assuming your diet and rest was sound during your break.

if you spent the month drinking, treating your mouth like a toilet and staying up all night, then it may take longer to get your strength back up. but it will come back if you lift heavy again and eat right.

eClaire

Yeah Saxo Boy, you had better get it sorted . I felt like a moose when you almost broke your back carrying me through to the room last week

FYI EVERYONE, I am under 11 stone

LG John

Right about now a :shame: smilie would be useful

Claire I was fine - I was just concerned about smacking your head of the door frame. In hindsight I probably should have.....

eClaire

LOL you cheeky sod!