Lifting Days?

pokertriad · January 12th, 2006, 07:24 PM

Suppose you are working on a 5 day lifting schedule, or you know you are only going to be in the gym 5 out of the 7 times that you'd like to be. Does it matter if you take Saturday and Sunday as your two days off, or is it better to have one on say Tuesday and one on Friday? Does it make much of a difference?

**number1point** · January 12th, 2006, 07:27 PM

well i fyou think about it...thats two full days that your not doing anything to you murscles....even tho i take sun n thurs off....i still do cardio....jus tto get a lil work out...but back to back days i wouldnt think wouldnt MESS you up...but its not helpin either...

E-Jay · January 12th, 2006, 08:19 PM

It is a good to have a weekend off day as most people get more sleep on weekends. Its good for recovery time.

Killa_Z · January 13th, 2006, 10:09 AM

weekends are fine, or you may want to space it out to give a better balance and take a day off in the week, when do your muscles feel they need rest? know your body

**Italianangel** · January 13th, 2006, 11:59 AM

Either way is fine but you may wish to put a day off after a day you lift very heavy or after a muscle group you know you will be sore after.

E-Jay · January 13th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Space it so that after you hit a major muscle group, you can have a day off. Exception, i would say would be legs. After legs hit whatever you want to improve most as squats and such release test and allow for better growth.

**bouncer** · January 13th, 2006, 09:01 PM

Two in a row is fine, however I like to space them out for better recovery though the week. Most of us have to fit the workouts in around work, and other scheduling difficulties.

You can split your routine up so you get plenty of work on even three days a week.

**Old_Fart2** · January 15th, 2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokertriad

Suppose you are working on a 5 day lifting schedule, or you know you are only going to be in the gym 5 out of the 7 times that you'd like to be. Does it matter if you take Saturday and Sunday as your two days off, or is it better to have one on say Tuesday and one on Friday? Does it make much of a difference?

To respond to your original question: no, it doesn't make that much difference. You just don't want to overtrain or over-work any one muscle group. For instance: don't do shoulders the day after doing chest.

As I said in another thread - it can take up to 10-14 days to recover from an intense workout.

If I miss a workout, I pick it up the next time I train. I strive for balance; I don't skip any muscle groups. If I miss a day or two, I don't sweat it.

You should really consider, though, the other advice: shorten your workouts. Make your time productive. A balanced program consists of workout, nutrition and rest. Skimp on any of these and you'll suffer overall.

When I first started training, I made great gains: I worked out 1-1/2 to 2 hours each session, eat like a pig. However after a couple of years the gains stopped. In order to move forward, I cut back on the time in the gym and, behold, was able to move forward, albeit slowly.

Romano · January 16th, 2006, 02:43 PM

I actually do a five day week also. I have tried all the combos. What I like to do ( and what seems to work the best for me , mentaly and physical is ) Mondays off work out Tues Wed Thur off fri work out Sat and sunday.

If you like taking the weekends off , try taking just one off like sunday. Then work out mon tues wed off fri work out Sat