Recovery Week: Return With Renewed Strength, Passion, and Drive

 

Taking a week off from the gym can be a challenge for some fitness enthusiasts who worry that the break will erase all of their progress.

Smart Physique Artists know when it’s time to “take a knee”… to rest, recover, and recharge… returning with renewed strength, passion, and drive.

Think of a recovery week as a one step back two steps forward approach.

Scheduling a recovery week is one of the best things you could do for your physique… but how often should you take a week off?

The Iron Guru Vince Gironda recommended a recovery week after every 3 weeks of training. That’s a bit too frequent for my liking, but hey, maybe one day I’ll experiment with it.

The typical recommendation is to plan a recovery week 3-4 times throughout the year. Personally, I find that 1 or 2 weeks away from the gym is more than sufficient for most physique athletes who follow a strategically designed physique training program, such as the Aesthetic Muscle Plan.

What To Do During A Recovery Week

Although you are taking a break from the gym this is not your ticket to lazyville. You should still be active and keep your body moving.

The key is to be spontaneous and have fun.

For example, I’m about to wrap up a recovery week myself…

…and I love nothing more than spending time with my family in the great outdoors.

This recovery week was a great opportunity to plan a camping trip out in the wilderness. Away from the electronics and distractions.

There’s no better way to ‘get grounded’ and become aware of what’s really important in life.

We went canoeing, hiking, biking, and spent plenty of time being active on the beach…

That’s carefree living! Feeling the sand between your toes and digging out castles.

It’s easy to get ‘lost in the moment’… and that in itself is a great stress reliever.

We spent hours playing fetch with our dog Chief and chasing him through the shallow waters. He soaked up every bit of this extra attention and play time.

On a side note, it’s not too often I get to see how my back development is coming along… this photo is showing that my hard work is paying off. My back is looking thicker and fuller… an area that I’ve really been trying to improve.

What has me even more ecstatic is CALVES… I actually have calves now. I’ve been busting my butt and proving that even my crappy genetics can’t hold me back.

A big highlight during this recovery week was our evening routine when we would bring the kids down to the beach, lay a blanket down, and look up at the stars… and making wishes when we saw a shooting star.

This was a great way to unwind at the end of the day. Making it easy to slip into a very restful, quality sleep.

Recovery Week Nutrition

During your recovery week you can be a little lax on your nutrition. This isn’t a ‘free-for-all’, but you don’t need to stick with a structured plan… and when you want a treat, go for it.

I don’t drink alcohol much anymore, but I did enjoy a glass of wine twice this week.

I also munched on a bit of chips and had a couple ice cream cones.

But for the most part, I ate like I normally would… simply because I really enjoy the healthy meals I prepare on a regular basis.

What I eat to melt stubborn fat are the same foods I eat when I’m building muscle or maintaining my physique. It’s a lifestyle.

Speed Up Recovery With Self Myofascial Release

Having a break from the gym will free up a fair amount of time. I recommend using some of this time on Self Myofascial Release with a foam roller and lacrosse ball.

Working out any knots, trigger points, muscle tension, and muscle soreness will allow you to come back to the gym as fresh and healthy as possible.

Conclusion

Recovery weeks are a part of the Physique Athlete Lifestyle. With family vacations and other events, life pretty much takes care of your recovery weeks.

After a short break from the gym you will return all charged up and ready to give your VERY BEST effort. You will feel refreshed and energized.

…and after you do take a recovery week, be sure to report back and share the experience with us.

…and for those who already have recovery weeks planned in your training schedule, take a moment to share how often you take a break from the gym and how you spend that week.

Sculpt a Masterpiece,

Scott Tousignant

About The Author

Scott Tousignant is a Certified Fitness Consultant and Elite Natural Bodybuilder with the UFE.

Scott specializes in helping regular guys get ripped abs insanely fast. With his careful attention to the finer details, you’ll carve out a rock hard and jacked physique in no time flat!

When Scott needs to urgently strip away stubborn sacks of fat for a photo shoot or bodybuilding contest, he turns to his time-tested proven system… Elite Physique.

Now you too, can follow his easy-to-follow system to finally uncover your ripped abs and chiseled body! Get the full details by visiting Elite Physique today!