Deloading

[Thr33]

I've been on the stronglifts 5x5 for about 6 weeks now, and it says that I should be deloading about now, and since I have exams coming up I was wondering how it would be if I just took the week off instead. The guy recommends doing a specific deload phase of reduced weight, so I know it's not exactly what the program suggests, but I thought you guys might have some suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Chaseg1520]

I find it hard to believe that you cannot do a deload week simply because of exams...

 

[B3rserk3R]

He could be studying to be a neurosurgeon or astro physicist (one bad ass astro physicist). I always tried to get to the gym to at least do a little something around exams, I found it actually helped me focus after because it cleared my head a bit. So if you can get it and at least partially follow your program that'd be better, but if you can't a week off won't kill you.

 

[Monger]

Looking at the big picture... I doubt it will have much impact on you regardless of which you do. A week off isn't that big of a deal.

 

[Chaseg1520]

He could be studying to be a neurosurgeon or astrophysicit (one bad ass astrophysisit). I always tried to get to the gym to at least do a little something around exams, I found it actually helped me focus after because it cleared my head a bit. So if you can get it and at least partially follow your program that'd be better, but if you can't a week off won't kill you.

Not trying to be a dick but I am a senior in college with 20+ credit hours a quarter, 3.95gpa, married, and have a job and I will still be lifting/mma on exam week... so it is def possible.

 

[Thr33]

ChaseG, it's not that I can't, it's just that it would be easier. If a week off is a bad idea, I won't do it. I guess the consensus is it isn't a big deal, but some light stuff would be better?

 

[B3rserk3R]

Not trying to be a dick but I am a senior in college with 20+ credit hours a quarter, 3.95gpa, married, and have a job and I will still be lifting/mma on exam week... so it is def possible.

I couldn't agree with you more. But every one is different. Personally the weight room has always been my sanctuary, so when the going gets tough, I get to the gym. But for some it's just stress on top of an already stressful situation, add in the lack of sleep, etc, etc.
That's awesome that you're able to handle that workload, but it's not for everyone.

 

[Chaseg1520]

very true... wasn't trying to be mean anyways, was just sayin

 

[Justin_A]

I had to take the wqeek off, and when i came back to start phase 2 i smashed all my pr's. It's only good if you are feeling burnout, if you feel ok you should do the deload. I was playing rugby 3 days ontop of the 5x5 and was feeling totaly burnout.

 

[theNuge]

I've been seeing a lot of guys on this board saying that deloading is useless. Here's an article with Mark Bell saying it's stupid:

Supertraining with Mark Bell

I don't see why taking days off is a bad thing unless you have some goal you're trying to reach.