Do you DELOAD?

When I talk to most people who train and mention deload weeks they have never heard of them - yet they are vital for our bodies, and for our minds - it can be a reset, and we can thus push further again having given our bodies a rest.

There is a specific ideology behind why we should deload!

Deloading helps to prevent injuries through overtraining by giving our joints, tendons, and ligaments a breather from heavy or high volume / intensity training.

I don’t think the majority of us realise just how taxing and strenuous our training can be to our CNS (Central Nervous System) and I do believe we should have a more structured plan in place, which i’m attending to for the future.

Aside from a physical standpoint, a planned week away from heavy training can do a lot for our mental health as well, if i’m completely honest I need a break as well and I’ve suffered before, not so much on the mental health side which i’m very thankful for, but the physical aspect of continuous heavy and intense training.

I’ve had two bouts in hospital over the last few years being completely run down, one for 5 days and the other 3, and I’ve only myself to blame - I don’t or haven’t heeded my own advice - I’m my own worst enemy at times.

We could look at this in a more definitive manner through 3 stages of stress;

Stage 1: Alarm Reaction

Stage 2: Resistance Development

Stage 3: Exhaustion

I’m bordering on Stage 3, I know the signs, I’ve been here before and I don’t want a repeat of where i’ve been before !

Stage 3 is the place nobody wants to be - exhaustion may occur due to prolonged or intolerable amounts of stress being placed on the body. This can lead to injuries such as muscle strains, joint pain, stress fractures, and emotional fatigue.

You will notice this week there are a couple of sessions dropped out - I’m away for a few days to deload and take a complete break - I haven’t even packed any training gear, I’ve my walking gear and that’s all I plan to do, well - and cook as well, I aim to take a full week off intense training.

I was away on holiday the last couple of years and I worked, last year doing all the live online sessions remotely while away, I haven’t had the opportunity to switch off for a few years - and I’m being a little selfish as I really feel I need it.

Jordan will be helping me out with the live sessions and I know I’ll come back hungry to push on - but for now a day or two off will be just what the doctor ordered.

I’d love to hear anyone’s thoughts or questions on deload weeks.

I truly hope you're having a very chilled and relaxed Sunday.

Ian