Deload periods are beneficial for serious exercisers, bodybuilders, and high-level athletes.

“Deload periods, when done properly, can be beneficial where you're having periods of reduced training frequency, particularly if you're training very hard. If you're doing the typical type of workout that most gen pops do, you probably don't need a deload because you're not training hard enough to warrant that. But certainly, if you're very serious exercisers, bodybuilders, particular in high-level athletes, interspersing regimented periods of reduced training frequency, volume, intensity I think are very important.”