This ectomorph 61 year old is lifting weights a couple times a week to prevent age induced muscle loss, premature ageing… bla, bla, bla. This on top of pretty solid Olympic and Sprint distance training - 10 or more hrs/week. I have a hard time getting a handle on the stress weight lifting has on the body. Something I’ve always wondered - Should weights be cut out on recovery weeks?
For the first 20 years of my triathlon career I lifted weights every week unless I was tapering or recovering from a race. When I was in my mid-40’s this became too much and I had to cut out or scale back the weight training during recovery weeks to allow my body enough recovery. In-season I cut out the weight training completely during recovery weeks, and in the offseason I scale back by about 50%.
id say let your body be the guide. Do you feel like you aren’t recovered at the end of the recovery week?
While I do not know the specific details of your strength training program, from a macro perspective strength training is no different from any other type of training. The plan should have periodization & cycles. The strength training program should include periods of recovery. If using weights, the recovery period is generally in the range of 50% of max. Also remember that strength training should focus on movements, not muscles, i.e. an upper body pressing movement rather than “chest” day.
My body craves squats in the middle of 50 ironman distances in 50 days.
My body craves squats in the middle of 50 ironman distances in 50 days.
I love your Instagram. #squats #duckfaceselfie