The summer break is a period of time that athletes should use to relax.

This break is necessary for professional athletes and amateur sports enthusiasts. However, this period is not only to lie on the couch to relax but should be planned accordingly, taking into account both training and nutrition. Therefore, suddenly stopping training is not advisable to any athlete who is serious about their sport.

Frequent training sessions, pressure and demanding exercises contribute to the weakening of the body, which can lead to low motivation levels. A break from strenuous exercise can aid in returning to training with enthusiasm during the season. However this break does not consist of completely giving up training overnight, instead it is gradual. During the off season athletes should be around 50% less active than during the sporting season. 

This break takes you away from everyday training sessions and gives you a psychological break.

Burnout affects anyone who trains for long periods of time without rest. A break is necessary to regain strength, and to allow yourself to spend your time actively without the psychological pressures associated with regular training sessions or competitions. This break allows you to return to training fully committed to the sporting season.

This break has a positive effect on your sporting abilities.

It is worth noting a break may help improve your form. Individuals who participate within sports regularly, consistently improve their performance over time. However, there reaches a point where improvement is not so easy, not as easy to be consistently be better and to be faster. Therefore, in order to reach your peak level within sports it is necessary to temporarily decrease your abilities, this allows for enthusiasm to grow once again when you start training. 

A break is necessary when:

-       The sporting season has finished 
-       Your form and abilities have worsened
-       There is a lack of progress
-       You have finished a specialized training programme
-       You feel a lack of motivation or want to train
-       You understand your body is tired

Who should take a break?

A break from training is useful to anyone and everyone who trains intensively. It is important to note that the level within your sport is vital, you must be honest about this. Individuals who train lightly 3x a week will not need a break compared to those who train intensively 2x a day or daily. This break from intensive training differs between individuals, a break is different for everyone. We stick to one main principle; the harder you training in the sporting season, the longer break you need in the off season.

There is no need to be afraid that a break will ruin all your form and abilities. A break will slightly reduce your abilities, however due to muscle memory, your body will return to the rhythm after a few training sessions as it remembers everything. 

One should take advantage of the break from training sessions, it allows for a moment to breathe, a moment to relax mentally and physically. Use your break to meet up with loved ones, improve your health and participate in some fun group activities such as swimming, volleyball and cycling. A few weeks of light training, followed by a total break of several days will not negatively impact your form, but allow for it to continue growing once the sporting season begins.