In strength training, objective measures ultimately determine recovery. If progress has been made, then sufficient recovery has occurred. You’ll know by the first set: If strength increases, continue training. If strength does not increase, more rest is necessary. An absence of muscle soreness is not mandatory for optimal recovery (see Warren et al., 1999), but…
Typically, between winter and summer I go through what I call a “two- to six-pack” rotation. My goal in the winter is to gain weight and I’ll let my body fat increase slightly to a two-pack status. In the spring, I tighten up a bit with my food intake and the midsection responds to a…