Am I getting burned out?

[Spankybear]

My strength is fading! I've been lifting really heavy for the past several weeks. Now I feel I'm not getting any stronger, can't get past my previous best lifts. In fact, those previous bests are getting harder to do and I'm finding myself in the gym feeling weak and not very energetic. I usually won't eat before I workout but I'd usually drink a V-8 on the way. I even took a week off and my body still feels tired...

I'm thinking I should switch up my routine. For instance, if my max bench is say, 405lbs, should I maybe stay at 315 and just do 10-12 reps to build strength and endurance (if I can even do that)? Recently I haven't even been able to do any reps of 355lbs. Feel like I'm shrinking and it's starting to depress me.

I need help!

[mitchcumstein]

Sounds like youre overtrained. Take a week or 2 off and youll be all set.

[POWERJIM]

Classic Overtraining signs, do what Mitch said. ^

[Spankybear]

Thanks guys. I'm cautious of taking too much time off. That's how I end up not going for 3 months.

[POWERJIM]

Originally Posted by Spankybear

Thanks guys. I'm cautious of taking too much time off. That's how I end up not going for 3 months.

I only train 3 days myself, train each Powerlift twice a week.

[BiggerGuns=LongerDrives]

Originally Posted by Spankybear

Thanks guys. I'm cautious of taking too much time off. That's how I end up not going for 3 months.

I know what you mean, but just keep your mind in the game and take 1-2 weeks off.....2 will be better. Dont allow yourself to slip into taking more than that

Just stay focused, read up alot on the net and post alot on these boards so you stay on track and your mind is still in the training zone, even though you arent training

[Spankybear]

Originally Posted by POWERJIM

I only train 3 days myself, train each Powerlift twice a week.

Yes, then I can see how I overtrained. I'm usually working out 5-6 days a week and heavy.
How do you hit each lift twice a week, yet only train 3 days? Wouldn't that call for 2 powerlifts to be done in the same day? Which combo are you doing in 1 day? I see I have a lot to learn about powerlifting still.

[skullmurdoc]

Originally Posted by Spankybear

Yes, then I can see how I overtrained. I'm usually working out 5-6 days a week and heavy.
How do you hit each lift twice a week, yet only train 3 days? Wouldn't that call for 2 powerlifts to be done in the same day? Which combo are you doing in 1 day? I see I have a lot to learn about powerlifting still.

Yeah! I don't get this either.

[Spankybear]

Originally Posted by BiggerGuns=LongerDrives

I know what you mean, but just keep your mind in the game and take 1-2 weeks off.....2 will be better. Dont allow yourself to slip into taking more than that

Just stay focused, read up alot on the net and post alot on these boards so you stay on track and your mind is still in the training zone, even though you arent training

I will do that. Maybe I'll do some pushups at night or something to keep me satisfied. Wow, I already feel guilty for missing time I haven't missed yet.

[BiggerGuns=LongerDrives]

Originally Posted by Spankybear

I will do that. Maybe I'll do some pushups at night or something to keep me satisfied. Wow, I already feel guilty for missing time I haven't missed yet.

No, I wouldnt do anything....no cardio even....

Rest is rest bro.

[POWERJIM]

Originally Posted by Spankybear

Yes, then I can see how I overtrained. I'm usually working out 5-6 days a week and heavy.
How do you hit each lift twice a week, yet only train 3 days? Wouldn't that call for 2 powerlifts to be done in the same day? Which combo are you doing in 1 day? I see I have a lot to learn about powerlifting still.

Yeah im doing 2 powerlifts per workout which is each lift twice a week, train 3 days per week and four days off.

Tuesday. Deads and Squats.

Thursday. Bench and Deads.

Saturday. Squats and Bench.

It works Wonders for me but i can see some might have a problem doing this, i get lots of rest inbetween workouts and eat alot obviously so yeah it works out really well.

[roehrigs01]

I train T, TH and S or Sun (sometimes)... rotating between Upper body/stomach & legs/back...

your body needs time to recovery so you can beat it up again...

[Papasmurf]

Originally Posted by BiggerGuns=LongerDrives

No, I wouldnt do anything....no cardio even....

Rest is rest bro.

Id advise doing a few light jogs during that time. Active rest is essential.

[Spankybear]

Originally Posted by POWERJIM

Yeah im doing 2 powerlifts per workout which is each lift twice a week, train 3 days per week and four days off.

Tuesday. Deads and Squats.

Thursday. Bench and Deads.

Saturday. Squats and Bench.

It works Wonders for me but i can see some might have a problem doing this, i get lots of rest inbetween workouts and eat alot obviously so yeah it works out really well.

I like the thought of doing these lifts twice per week. I think I'll start doing this routine, getting excited just thinking about it. I'm thinking 1 day of rest on bench may cause a problem for me but the deads should be ok. I'm not too strong with it yet. So when you workout are you doing these exercises only or are you incorporating assistant lifts with them?