they serve different purposes and are applied at different times.
Deloading
- Purpose: To allow the body to recover from accumulated fatigue and prevent overtraining.
- When: Typically after a period of intense training.
- How: By reducing the intensity, frequency, or volume of workouts. This might mean lifting lighter weights, doing fewer sets or reps, or taking more rest days12.
Tapering
- Purpose: To peak performance for a specific event or competition.
- When: In the weeks leading up to a competition.
- How: By strategically reducing training volume while maintaining or slightly reducing intensity. This helps to reduce fatigue while keeping the muscles primed for peak performance13.
In summary, deloading is more about recovery and preparing for the next phase of training, while tapering is about optimizing performance for a specific event.
source: Copilot ™
