Weights throughout the day. A good thing?

patsmith · May 15th, 2008, 05:22 AM

As a university student with my own place, I'm lucky enough to not only have my own weights setup at home (bench, barbell, e-z bar and dumbells), but I spend a fair bit of time at home studying. I've been getting into the habit recently (born from the boredom of study) of getting up every half-hour or so and doing a few quick sets, then straight back to the books.

It's more for personal enjoyment than anything else, as it helps relieve the feeling you get from hunching over a desk for hours, but is it beneficial? I figure that it can't be a bad thing, but still do proper workouts (ie. 60mins) 3-4 times a week.

Am I wasting my time? Is this sort of lifting beneficial, or are these isolated sets just too far apart?

**gunshowbabe** · May 15th, 2008, 09:54 AM

depends on how intense your workouts are, how many sets... etc. It's best to so a full workout so you maintain your heart beat up and also work your muscles to exhaustion...

**falconfootball** · May 15th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunshowbabe

depends on how intense your workouts are, how many sets... etc. It's best to so a full workout so you maintain your heart beat up and also work your muscles to exhaustion...

Agreed. The reason we do sets and reps is to tax the hell out of the muscle being worked. That burning of the last few reps, then going to failure is what makes us stronger and in better shape.

patsmith · May 15th, 2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconfootball

Agreed. The reason we do sets and reps is to tax the hell out of the muscle being worked. That burning of the last few reps, then going to failure is what makes us stronger and in better shape.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still doing full workouts. This is just throughout the day to release pent-up energy.

**gunshowbabe** · May 15th, 2008, 11:23 AM

I'm sure it still has positive effects but I wouldn't expect it to do much.. your body will mold regardless to what you make it do...

**wildstang** · May 15th, 2008, 04:07 PM

as long as it dosent affect your main workout it wont do you any harm. it is a good stress releiver to periodically get, have activity during study periods.
even if you didnt workout at all you will still see some improvement, just not as efficiently as a proper workout doing this.

patsmith · May 15th, 2008, 10:49 PM

Thanks for the input guys! I'll keep doing it, but will be making sure that it isn't affecting my main workouts.

**bouncer** · May 17th, 2008, 03:56 PM

The biggest benefit (since you are already doing a regular routine) will be to your studies. When I am in the office, I have to get away from my desk, and either find a reason to walk the stairs to another floor, or do some quick pushups where I won't be noticed. The heart rate goes up, I stay alert, and can accomplish more at the desk over the stretch of the day.

I would say be careful about overtraining, but a few sets pumped out here and there shouldn't be a problem.