Lifting routine questions

3RMomma
3RMomma Posts: 55 Member
edited November 2014 in Fitness and Exercise
For the last few months I've been doing new rules of lifting for women and for the most part have enjoyed the program. I like seeing the progress in terms of the amount of weight I'm lifting and the changes in my body… What I have not enjoyed it is being in the gym for an hour and a half or more. Are there any routines that I can still get good results on but be in the gym for an hour or less? My goal is to build muscle and I'm also starting training for half marathon. Maybe these are unrealistic expectations/hopes?

Replies

  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    edited November 2014
    I like Wendler 5/3/1. I usually do 5/3/1 progressions 4x per week on back squat, dead, bench, and overhead press, but I've also used the same set up to make progress on overhead squats and front squats. I never did NROLW so I don't know how the time compares but I can usually do my Wendler work and accessory stuff in 45-60 minutes. I would love to move to Texas Method next but I think it would be too much volume given that I am also doing olympic lifting.
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    I use StrongLifts 5x5 - the basic program will take about 45 minutes -- I use the additional warm-up program so it takes me about 55 min. total -- I am also working on half training and find that that is what takes most of my time -- when I'm in the gym I lift primarily and sometimes spend an hour on the stationary bike as cross training.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    All Pro's beginner routine takes me 60 minutes, including a 10 minute warm-up walk on the treadmill.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    edited November 2014
    Something really simple and straight forward like Stronglifts or Starting Strength will probably be the best bet. It's just big compound movements and no fluff. You could probably get it done pretty quickly if you wanted to.

    Honestly, having said that, 90 minutes in the gym doing strength training isn't really a whole lot. I wish I could only spend 90 minutes in the gym and still make good progress.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Yeah, a quick 90 minute in and out would be nice sometimes.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Lots of good 45-60 minute programs. Lifting for 90 minutes would drive me insane and be such a waste of my time.
  • jstrun
    jstrun Posts: 70 Member
    I use New Rules of Lifting for Women and I am still on stage 1 but it only takes me about 45 mins to do the weights and i usually run 2 miles before and after but thats because I liek to run...in stage 1 there are only 5 exercises, i'm wondering what you are doing differently than me? maybe I'm missing something? please share! thanks!
  • Lofteren
    Lofteren Posts: 960 Member
    Stick to the meat and potatoes of your training program. Do your squats, deadlifts, bench presses, overhead presses and barbell rows first. If you still have time then do your isolation movements.
  • drich1989
    drich1989 Posts: 95 Member
    I feel your pain and I was wondering this too. Last night I warmed up on the treadmill and then did my leg routine. I was there for an hour and a half. Today is upper body and that tends to take even longer. It seems like I spend my whole evening at the gym. I go four days a week, my only thought is to start going 6 days a week for shorter periods of time. So instead of 4 days at 90 minutes each I could do 6 days at 60 minutes each. But 6 days is a lot and I'm not sure I could stick with that. I'm going to try taking less time between sets and moving quickly between workouts. Kind of "hurry" around the gym. Hopefully that will make a difference.
  • branflakes1980
    branflakes1980 Posts: 2,516 Member
    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/womans_lean_sexy_bible.htm I completed this 12 week program and then repeated it and loved it, and I only found myself in the gym for an average of 45 minutes 5 days a week. Good luck to you!
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    If you're warming-up before-hand and stretching afterwards I'm not sure if it's possible. If it takes 15-20 min's to warm-up and stretch (mobility work is important), do your strength training in 45-min's to 60-min's, and then stretch again for 10-15min's an hour to hour 1/2 is a reasonable time.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    switch to stronglifts or 5/3/1 and cut your weight workouts down to 30-40 minutes.
  • 3RMomma
    3RMomma Posts: 55 Member
    I am at Stage 5 - the early stages are pretty quick compared to the later ones...

    I work at least 45 hours a week and I have 3 kids (4 1/2, 3, and 15 months) so I'm trying to balance being healthy/fit with all of my responsibilities. With only 24 hours in a day I'm trying to figure out how to get it all in and not have an area of my life that suffers... unfortunately it seems I'm guessing if I could get my home gym together that would help b/c it would eliminate the excess time above and beyond the work out (drive time and any waiting for equipment)... I think I'll look into Stronglifts and 5/3/1.... I have absolutely no expectation of being able to get ripped spending less time working out but who knew being healthy would be so time consuming and expensive! ugh

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