I've been working out for about 10 months now, however,
due to some accident, I haven't worked out for the past 2 months. Just wondering how long does it gonna take to recover the muscle if I started working out again?
There's also a term "off-season" I read alot in fitness magazine, how long is a off-season?

 

It should take you about 2-4 weeks to get back to your former state. As for the "off-season", it varies from person to person. When I can feel my strength decline, then I know my body needs rest. I give it a month, and when I come back I'm usually just only a tad bit weaker. Within 2 weeks, I'm stronger than before...hope that helps!

 

Ummm... I've been working out without missing more than two/three weeks of lifting over the last three years(wow, time flies). I am an NCAA athlete. So I definitely have the results I initially set for myself (gained about 10-15 lbs. muscle mass / 7 percent body fat currently), but I'm not one to analyze and study the art of being cut up because I believe training is a very personal thing.

Avoid the magazines. You'd be surprised as to how the models on the cover of Men's Health and so on and so forth really don't stick to the strict regimens outlined so often in the fitness publications. So to answer your question the best I can...

Some guys build muscle faster. Others slower. Some guys "show" the muscle better, other guys can lift much more even if they don't have that yoked look. It depends on your age, your eating habits, your overall level of fitness right now... so anyone trying to tell you you can get back in shape blah blah blah is basically giving you a lot of fluff.

It would help if you gave me more information about your current health, eating habits, and the fitness goals you've set for yourself.

So my answer is... I cannot answer until more info is given.

I'll try to give you the best advice I know.

 

Spaceneedle,
eating habit: I eat 4 meals a day and choose to eat high
protein food as much as possible because I don't like those high protein drink or bars.
goal: I don't intend to be "huge", but definitely want to gain some mass and strength. I go to weight room about 3 or 4 times a week and obviously see some quick result in the fast few months. Now I just want to get "bigger"
As you can tell from what I wrote, I'm a total newie and I'm thinking to get a personal trainer so I could get the fastest result in the shortest time.
Thanks for the advice guys!

 

I've never heard anyone complain: "I've got too much muscle!"

So don't worry about getting "big." Too many people fear that when very few actually attain it, maintain it.

I'm the wrong person to talk to if you want quick results. Your body needs time to really build a solid fitness core.

Go for the personal trainer. Just make sure it's not some chain athletic club guy/gal trying to tell you all about getting fit when they themselves look like they need to spend some time in the gym.

Good luck!

 

Listen to this! It's important. If your body isn't properly prepared. Injury may result. That will just slow progress.

 

Another questions for you experts: do you still work out when you got flu?

 

Don't work out when you're sick. You'll get worse. I was a little sick at the beginning of this week (probably from playing soccer in 30 degree weather). I started to feel a little better and went to the gym on wednesday and thursday. Friday I was worse.

 

Working out lightly is ok if you have no more than a slight cold. Working out with a viral infection should be avoided, particularly high intensity workouts. Most people overtrain as it is, which ironically, can cause you to get colds and flus.


[Edited by Muz on 03-04-2001 at 05:44 AM]

 

When I have an off week due to illness or injury, I usually come back with a maintenance set when health returns. Just enough weight to warm up. The following weeks gradually move back up to where I was. Never seems to take more than two weeks to get back. But then I'm no Mr. Universe either. Just trying to stay fit and keep my wife happy.