Thread: working out every day?

I've seen a few 'intense' programs whereby you work out every day, now obviously you need time to rest in order to build muscle, but they get around this by saying you work out different muscle groups on each day.

How truthful is this? Most workouts will always use muscles that aren't specifically being targetted, and it just seems like a lot of stress to put on the body, but if there are definite positives to doing this I'm up for it.

I don't really need to burn fat, just build muscle. Would working out every-other day be more suitable or can you build faster working out each day?

depends on drug use, or how intense you workout

you could do 4 days weights and 3 days cycling or something and still gain muscle as long as you ate enough.

for a natural, non drug using guy, intense weights 3-4x a week, and eating above maintenance will be fine

please spend some time educating yourself

I don't see it having any positive effects for you... Other than your workouts would be shorter from designating certain days for only certain body parts. I wouldn't go over 5 days weight-training a week. Four is perfect, for me. Find what fits you. But 3-5 is the only options I'd consider. And if anything, the rest period they speak of can be assumed as Active Recovery, which is one method, being where you recover while doing activities that aren't too strenuous (on that body part?). But there still isnt any point to doing it that way really...

Originally Posted by ddiabolical

I've seen a few 'intense' programs whereby you work out every day, now obviously you need time to rest in order to build muscle, but they get around this by saying you work out different muscle groups on each day.

How truthful is this? Most workouts will always use muscles that aren't specifically being targetted, and it just seems like a lot of stress to put on the body, but if there are definite positives to doing this I'm up for it.

I don't really need to burn fat, just build muscle. Would working out every-other day be more suitable or can you build faster working out each day?

Coming from someone who worked out literally every day for nearly 2 years, and now workout once or twice a week (with better results), no. Working out every day is for people on steroids (/w a ridiculous recovery ability) or people who dont understand basic physiological laws.

I recommend working out your entire body, two or three times a week, perhaps less as time goes on. Or at the most only spitting your workout into to routines, upper and lower. When you start dividing muscle groups up too much intensity drops (as volume increases) and gains slow or retrogress.

-Dream

I personally love working out, and I do it six times per week.
I'll give you a quick overview of my schedule:

Monday: Running (Intervals to burn fat) + Gym (Pecks + Legs)
Tuesday: Running (Cardio) + Gym (Biceps + Triceps)
Wednesday: Running (Intervals to burn fat) + Swimming (2km)
Thursday: Gym (Back + Shoulders)
Friday: Running (Intervals to burn fat) + Gym (Pecks + Legs)
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Swimming (2KM)

So on Monday the week after this, instead of starting with Pecks and Legs I'd start with Biceps + Triceps. Monday after that I'd start with Back + Shoulders.

I find this really stimulating for my body because I sleep like an angel at night and it boosts my concentration level sky high. This is not an overload to your body since you use different muscle groups on different days. However it is really important you know you exercise correctly so you don't injure yourself or apply muscles that should not be active in those movements. Obviously I use no steroids, and I've gotten amazing results. I do use protein drinks, but only ones that are good for my body (I use Dalblads - Thee In One, but I don't know if it exists where you live)

For cardio I run in the morning before school / work. With no breakfast in me, the reason for this is that your body will have used up a lot of your carbohydrates during your sleep to rebuild your body, and therefore your body will use fat as a source of energy instead of carbohydrates. I run in intervals so I use the carbohydrates as a source, and not my muscles when I'm getting tired.

If you need any more help, just ask.

Your frequency should also depend on your long term goals. If it's strength your after, then recovery is much more important than if say you only want to look good with your shirt off. :P

Im just like doe... I love the gym. Gets rid of tons of tension and just feels good to be in shape. Here is my schedule:
Mon:Back and abs
Tue:Chest and abs
Wed:Legs and cardio (stairs or run)
Thurs: Shoulders and abs
Fri: Arms and abs

MOST people to back and bi's together. Also chest and tri's... Ive read tons of books saying for best results work ONE muscle group at a time. Thats why I do back and chest after one another. Its like I get two arm work outs in a wk. Legs in the middle is perfect! It gives ur body one complete day to relax. Try it... FREE WEIGHTS is so much better than machines!!!! If you need further explination let me know and ill explain. Just it will be a long post.

Hmm... Leg's does let your upper body rest of course, but, that's three very strenuous lifting days in a row.. Just find whatever you enjoy doing the best! But yeah, free weights win.

Originally Posted by Jok3R2690

Hmm... Leg's does let your upper body rest of course, but, that's three very strenuous lifting days in a row.. Just find whatever you enjoy doing the best! But yeah, free weights win.

but you dont have to go heavy.... i do 4 sets of 10. This cuts the body.... To BUILD muscle I recommend 3 sets of 4 or 5 BUT GO HEAVY... have a spotter and max out.

Oh very true, I didn't think of the goal for someone, which changes everything