How often do you guys take time off lifting? I've read a lot about "Intensity Cycling" but have never really practiced it. Lots of lifters preach periodization and taking a week off from lifting every 8 to 10 weeks. Usually, work or a vacation will force me to take a week off of lifting every few months, but I don't usually take scheduled breaks. But I'm starting to feel a little burned out in the gym. My strength seems to be slowly declining on certain lifts. I wonder if that would help.

Go for it. I kind of plateaued for a while but dread the though of not going to the gym. (Im sure you know how that feels http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif ) I was sick as a dog last week and didn't go in once so I could convalesce. This week, lifts are up (surprisingly). Wouldn't have tried it otherwise. You bulking?

------------------
Keep your body lean, your blood clean and your mind sharp. -Rollins

Breaks are a personal choice. One thing you can't do in this sport is judge your workouts and your schedule by how others tell you to do it. It's a major mistake that other guys make. You have to train with the utmost intensity and then see what your body needs for a rest period. Who cares what somebody else tells you? Let your body be the judge. You do need rest though. Usually every 7 weeks for me.

Naxis-
I'm not bulking right now. I'm actually in a cutting phase and on a fat loss diet. I want to start with a lean body when I go for more muscle. So when my body fat % is low enough (in a month or so) I'm going to start bulking again. Eventually, I'd like to alternate between the two and over a couple years, I'd (theoetically) be proportionately more muscular and carrying less body fat.