33 replies to this topic

[bambam9193]

I've been getting different feedback so I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts. At what point are you training too long? Generally I work 2 muscles groups each workout, large to small. But sometimes it can take me 45 min to blast through it and other times I look up and it's been close to an 1 1/2 hours. Then I still have to find the energy to do my cardio. I try to limit my gym time to 1 1/2 to 2 hours. But at what point are you wasting your time?

[Tempest]

When I was working out in the gym I liked to feel sore and invigorated leaving. If you feel completely burned out then in my opinion your body cannot recoup well for the next day. I personally think 1 1/2 hours tops in the gym, and that includes 30-45 minutes of cardio. But that's my body and my endurance is lower then someone who works out hours a day. If my workout included a class then it would be longer, but an hour of yoga doesn't count as an hour... you know?

[MissKBuff]

I think each body reacts differently to the amount of work out it's getting. For instance, I know that if I weight train once a week, I get the best results, as it takes my body longer to recouperate from it. If I go twice a week, I feel burnt and my body doesn't get the same kind of results.

Also, try minimizing your sets but maximizing your weight, because as long as you are fatiguing each muscle, it will change and grow, progress is guaranteed to be made. I myself only do one set for each muscle group, but it's one set to absolute failure, lol for whatever muscle group I'm working on. I use a lot of weight, and try to keep my reps below 20, and doing a hold for as long as I can on the last rep when I don't feel like I can do it anymore, that way I know my muscles are completely fatigued. Some people have laughed at this, or have said that I am wasting my time, but believe me, my body never lies, and the results are amazing!

You will be able to tell if you are over-training your muscles by guaging how you feel + the progress you've made and the amount of time you've spent doing it. Listen to what your body tells you when you feel burnt out and such.

In my opinion, life is too short to live at the gym, although I'm there 6 days a week, I minimize my time there, while at the same time maximizing my progress, so I'm spending as little time as possible getting the results that I want. I think it's all trial and error until you find what works.

[Realize]

I bang out my workout in 45 min.

But thats one muscle group no cardio and pretty good intensity. I'm pressed for time so this is the way it has to be done.

I'll typically get in about 16 sets and 4 exercises in this time.

[MissKBuff]

I bang out my workout in 45 min.

But thats one muscle group no cardio and pretty good intensity. I'm pressed for time so this is the way it has to be done.

I'll typically get in about 16 sets and 4 exercises in this time.

That is EXACTLY what I do! Works perfectly for me

[Thinkbig]

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, I CURRENTLY TRAIN FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS SOMETIMES 2HRS AND 20MINS 5 DAYS A WEEK.

FOR YEARS I ALWAYS HEARD I HAVE OVERTRAINED, AND MAYBE I HAVE, ...BUT I ENDED UP BIGGER THAN THAN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO TOLD ME THAT, SO GO FIGURE.

IF YOUR DIET AND SUPPS ARE ON POINT AND YOUR TRAINING YOUR ASS OFF AND NOT GETTING ANYWHERE, ITS OBVIOUS YOUR OVERTRAINING, IF ITS WORKING FOR YOU, DON'T LISTEN TO ANYONE ELSE.

THOSE WITH SLOWER METABOLISM'S CAN GET AWAY WITH TRAINING MORE OFTEN AND FOR LONGER AS WELL, JUST ANOTHER VARIABLE TO BE AWARE OF.

[bambam9193]

Thanks for all of your words of wisdom. For me every workout is different. Sometimes I burn out within 45-60 min and other times it takes a little longer. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone and it's not that I'm doing anything wrong. I just don't ever want to stop until I feel that burn I'm after and it just takes longer sometimes ya know!

I always try to give my muscles at least 3 days to recover before working the same group again. If I'm lucky, they're still sore and I have to wait longer! So I'm totally with you on that Kane.

Do you think it's necessary to have a protein drink if you're training longer after the training and before cardio?

[Thinkbig]

NO.

TAKING IN PROTEIN BEFORE CARDIO, WILL ENSURE THAT MOST OF THE PROTEIN IS SHUTTLED TO THE LIVER TO BE DEAMINATED AND USED TO PROVIDE GLUCOSE FOR THE CARDIO WORKOUT, AND WILL LIMIT FAT UTILIZED.

YOUR NOT GOING TO GO CATABOLIC AND EAT ALL YOUR MUSCLE IN 30-45 MINS OF CARDIO, THATS RIDICULOUS, AND IF YOU HAD SUCH A FAST METABOLISM, THAT YOU COULD (THERE ARE THOSE RARE EXCEPTIONS) THEN YOU'D BE QUITE LEAN AND NOT NEED MUCH CARDIO ANYWAYS, GUYS LIKE DEXTER JACKSON FALL INTO SUCH A CATEGORY.

IF YOUR WEIGHT TRAINING AND THEN DOING CARDIO, SAVE THE POST TRAINING SHAKE FOR AFTER YOUR DONE "TRAINING" THAT MEANS WEIGHTS, CARDIO, YOGA... WHATEVER.


LETS NOT FORGET MOST PEOPLE WILL HAVE EATEN AND HAVE SOME AMINO'S, ESSENTIAL FATS AND CARBS FLOATING AROUND IN THE BLOODSTREAM ANYWAYS, NO NEED TO TAKE IN A SHAKE AT THAT TIME.

[bambam9193]

GLAD I ASKED!!!! Thank you

[MissKBuff]

I completely agree about the protein shake. Those are the reasons why I do my cardio at 5am, when my system is pretty empty, that way maximizing fat burn.

As for the burn you speak of Bambam, I know what you mean, gotta have it!

and yea, sometimes it takes longer than others.

[bambam9193]

TB, you got me thinking. I normally need to come home, rest a minute and eat dinner. Then I go to the gym about 1 1/2 to 2 hours after dinner. Is that long enough for my food to digest so that I'm maximizing fat burn at the gym? Evenings are the best time I've found for my training.

[Thinkbig]

YES, THE KEY HERE IS TO EAT LOW GLYCEMIC CARBS THAT PRODUCE A SLOW BURN EFFECT AND MINIMAL INSULIN RELEASE, SO AS TO NOT CRASH OUT DRUING THE WORKOUT AND PROVIDE SUSTAINED ENERGY, AS WELL AS ALLOW FOR OPTIMAL GH RELEASE.


MY PERSONAL FAVORITE CARB AT THIS TIME IS OATMEAL, BECAUSE ITS VERSATILE, I CAN EAT IT FOR WHEN I WANT TO EAT MY PRE-WORKOUT MEAL, OR ADD IT INTO A SHAKE AND DRINK IT, FOR WHEN I WANT A PRE-WORKOUT SHAKE INSTEAD OF ACTUAL FOOD.


OVERALL REMEMBER, "ENDOGENOUSLY" GH IS HIGHEST WHEN INSULIN IS LOW, AND VICE VERSA, THUSLY BEST FATLOSS COMES FROM LOW INSULIN IN THE BODY.

STICK TO LOW GLYCEMIC CARBS PRE-WORKOUT AND HAVE YOUR HIGHER GLYCEMIC CARBS POST TRAINING, DEPENDING ON YOUR GOALS.

[Grunt76]

I do my cardio first, then 45-60 minutes workout. When on a cycle and cutting, I'll go to 75 even 90 minute workouts.

[bambam9193]

I always train and then do cardio. But I'm going to try and do cardio then train, at least couple days a week. It sucks right now the only thing I can do is swim and use a stationary bike...knee injury. But once I'm back on my feet I'll try your advice and do my cardio first.

I haven't ever tried adding oatmeal to a protein drink but it sounds like a great idea. I keep my post workout carbs really low since I train at night. Sometimes it's just Gatorade to get the carbs in.

Thanks guys! To everyone else I don't need to worry about losing body fat. But as a girl...I'm always looking to trim up a bit. You know the story...just a couple more lbs. Lol