Going to Gym or rest?

[OngBak]

It’s the second week of my mesocycle, but I already took a 4-day break after finishing the first mesocycle. During this second week, I’ve been experiencing high anxiety, tension, and overall stress, and these symptoms peak especially after I work out. For example, at the end of the first week and during the last workout of that mesocycle, I had the same symptoms, which is why I extended my break by another 2 days (making it a total of 4 days).

Now, in the second week, the same thing has happened again. At this point, I don’t really know what to do, because going to the gym recently feels more like punishment than a reward.

What should I do, guys? Some of you probably know my situation from my previous thread and what I’ve been going through.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Monitor your overnight HR. If it's 10 BPM+ above baseline that means you are likely in an overtrained state and need to back off.

One of the best indicators of your body state.

 

[OngBak]

Monitor your overnight HR. If it's 10 BPM+ above baseline that means you are likely in an overtrained state and need to back off.

One of the best indicators of your body state.

Isnt there any other way to reliably figure it out? I have heard about grip strength, after the few days off I actually noticed an increase in grip strength or should I just go to the Gym and try the usual weights out and see if there is any change on lifting strength?

 

[OngBak]

Apparently, there is a clear difference between overtraining and systemic (CNS) fatigue. After doing some research, it seems more likely that my situation falls on the CNS fatigue side. You can still have no drop in strength, but still be dealing with systemic (CNS) fatigue. In my case, my mood actually improves when I don’t work out, for anyone wondering or unfamiliar with the difference. I’ll adjust my approach based on that.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Isnt there any other way to reliably figure it out? I have heard about grip strength, after the few days off I actually noticed an increase in grip strength or should I just go to the Gym and try the usual weights out and see if there is any change on lifting strength?

Probably, but resting overnight heart rate is one of the most accurate indicators without any "guessing" or subjective component involved. If your HR is 10+ BPM higher than normal you are almost assuredly dealing with excessive CNS burnout and need to back off. It's a clear sign the "fight or flight" part of your nervous system is overactive.