strength re-gains after a hiatus

[def_con_3]

Hey. As much as I'd dislike to say it, I've be thinking of taking a break from lifting until track season is over, due to time restrictions. I have tried some quick lifting before practices, but I think it would negatively affect my energy at practices. We sometimes lift together as a track team after some practices, but only on certain muscle groups and with the influx of meets nowadays that's only possible on like a once per two week basis.

That being said, for about a month and a half until the season's over, I would hardly ever be lifting. How quickly can strength and muscle mass be regained after a six week hiatus? Is it possible to maintain some strength by keeping a high calorie consumption throughout the off-time?

[Sensei]

Don't lift before practices, but I would try to get to the weight room when you can, even if it's once a week and limit your volume (don't try to go balls out in those limited sessions).


How quickly can strength and muscle mass be regained after a six week hiatus? Is it possible to maintain some strength by keeping a high calorie consumption throughout the off-time?There's no way to answer this definatively - it will depend on a lot of things like your current level of strength and size, training history, etc. I wouldn't try to hike up your calories dramatically in the hopes of maintaining muscle mass - it probably won't help your track performance any.

[def_con_3]

Thanks. Yeah, right now I'm trying to see if I can get a sturdy bench and barbell or anything decently priced that will allow me to have somewhat of a weightroom at home to work out in during the weekends.