Worried about how a 1 or 2 week break from the gym could impact your progress? We've been there and we have also fielded many questions from fitness enthusiasts, athletes and beginners who are starting to see progress and are hesitant to take that week away from the gym. It almost seems like our mind plays tricks on us in the mirror after a few days of rest. This Research Spotlight discusses the training topic related to 'rest weeks'. 

Resistance Training-Induced Elevations in Muscular Strength in Trained Men Are Maintained After 2 Weeks of Detraining and Not Differentially Affected by Whey Protein Supplementation

This research showed that there was not a loss of muscular strength in these individuals during a 2 week break from exercise. Also, the use of whey protein supplementation did not impact the change of muscular strength of participants during the break. 

Some research even indicates that training results are actually amplified when resuming after a training break.

Hwang PS, Andre TL, McKinley-Barnard SK, Morales Marroquín FE, Gann JJ, Song JJ, Willoughby DS. Resistance Training-Induced Elevations in Muscular Strength in Trained Men Are Maintained After 2 Weeks of Detraining and Not Differentially Affected by Whey Protein Supplementation. J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Apr;31(4):869-881. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001807. PMID: 28328712. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28328712/

**It is always important to understand that the exact nature of the study, the variables, the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the participants, and types of analysis completed are factors that may mean that the research does not fully apply to you. A full review of the study and each individual  is necessary to determine how to apply this information. Additionally when fully reviewing the literature, similar studies do not always report the same results. Not all information, and most research studies cannot simply be generalized to everyone.