Full Body Workout Every Day?

natyack

I found a really great 30 minute workout on youtube that- for me- is a perfect mix of strength training and cardio. I've switched to this from running because I'm getting awful shin splints and I don't want to risk injury.

Everything I'm reading regarding strength training says to give your muscles time to repair (1-2 days) before working them again. But I also know that many people have a lot of success with programs like 30 day shred where they are doing a total body workout every day.

Is it okay to do a total body workout every day, or am I doing more harm than good? I'd like to do SOMETHING every day just to keep up the habit of making time to exercise, so I'm not averse to mixing in some yoga, or straight up cardio in between.

LolBroScience

Whats the actual program? Strength Training doesn't necessarily mean total body workout per say. Not the same type of stressors or adaptations that occur.

RoxieDawn

I am going to ask straight up what is the goal? Just to exercise and keep in the habit of exercising everyday?

That goal is a bit too broad for me to understand the underlying question you have "am I doing more harm than good"?

natyack

This is the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWy_aOlB45Y&list=PLLomHxiAsnAs9or7xpuii-j4Pd1loGuA6

The goal is to build strength, increase my metabolism and burn fat. I'd like to do this program or a version of it every day to achieve those goals but also yes to keep in the habit of working out every day.

LolBroScience

You should be fine in terms of recovery (assuming you have adequate nutrition and rest). The program itself isn't going inherently help with building strength or muscle, increasing your metabolism, or burning fat though. Those are each kind of separate issues with different ways to address them.

natyack

Thanks. I'm doing pretty good with my macros and staying within my caloric limits. Right now this program is pretty hard to get through without any modifications. I plan to increase difficulty when appropriate.

SezxyStef

When I did a similar workout at the start of my weight loss I didn't take a rest day for the first 30 days...it's fine.

The rest day is more for "heavy lifting" or something that is very taxing on your body.

IE I do OHP (upper body) then the next day I do Deads (Lower body) instead of Benching (upper body) to give my upper body a "rest".

When I was running I ran M/Th/S...rest days...Leg days were Tue and Friday.

natyack

SezxyStef wrote: »

When I did a similar workout at the start of my weight loss I didn't take a rest day for the first 30 days...it's fine.

The rest day is more for "heavy lifting" or something that is very taxing on your body.

IE I do OHP (upper body) then the next day I do Deads (Lower body) instead of Benching (upper body) to give my upper body a "rest".

When I was running I ran M/Th/S...rest days...Leg days were Tue and Friday.

That makes sense, thank you!

Michael190lbs

My friend does those 30 min workout probably six days a week- she never complains of soreness and is in really good cardio shape with good definition but her nutrition is very impressive to compliment that type of work load

natyack

Michael190lbs wrote: »

My friend does those 30 min workout probably six days a week- she never complains of soreness and is in really good cardio shape with good definition but her nutrition is very impressive to compliment that type of work load

My diary is open if you're willing to take a look at my week so far. I use a FitBit Charge HR to calculate calories burned but I never eat them back.

brb2008

I am loving youtube videos, and the one I did yesterday has me quite sore. So I'm going to keep to walking and stretching for today, maybe even tomorrow too depending on how I feel.

I think how YOU feel is more important than any fitness rules. If you feel challenged, its a good workout! If you feel up for it daily, go for it. If you need rest, take it. When I first started exercising I did the same exercise every day for three months before stagnating and having to change it up but it was good for me while it lasted (and built good habits for my couch potato butt)

natyack

brb2008 wrote: »

I am loving youtube videos, and the one I did yesterday has me quite sore. So I'm going to keep to walking and stretching for today, maybe even tomorrow too depending on how I feel.

I think how YOU feel is more important than any fitness rules. If you feel challenged, its a good workout! If you feel up for it daily, go for it. If you need rest, take it. When I first started exercising I did the same exercise every day for three months before stagnating and having to change it up but it was good for me while it lasted (and built good habits for my couch potato butt)

Thanks, I agree! Sometimes when you want results really badly it's more difficult to listen to your body when it needs a rest. Sounds like you have a great schedule down!

kuroshii

Agreed with what other posters have said. "Rest days" are good when you're doing a level of resistance training where you're putting strain on particular muscle groups (eg it's hard to do the last few of a set) which is best for building muscle. The sort of stuff in that video is using body weight to make the cardio "harder" not muscle building per se, so it's fine for every day. Glad you've found something fun! Cardio is good for heart health.

cwolfman13

when people refer to "full body workouts" and talk about rest, this is generally in reference to weight training programs at heavy to moderate weight as a % of max ability. these types of programs are taxing on the body and central nervous system for which is necessary for proper recovery.

these videos are more or less circuit training with a little body weight or light weight resistance; these types of workouts aren't as taxing and stressful on the body and would require less rest for recovery. I would still consider taking a rest day though...rest is good for you in general.

ninerbuff

Lots of people confuse STRENGTH and RESISTANCE training. You can RESISTANCE train everyday. If the resistance isn't progressive, the body will adapt to the load. EX: Doing pushups every day.
STRENGTH training involves progressively increasing the resistance to improve strength and possibly involve muscle hypertrophy. Since the intensity for this is much higher, one usually has to have a day of rest in between for the muscle to recover and rebuild.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

natyack

I appreciate the clarification everyone, thanks!!

fiddletime

Just listen to you body. I started a workout and did it 10 days straight (T25). I didn't take a rest day but I just felt sore and tired so took a day off. My body was glad I did so I take one day off out of 7 and have lots of energy and no soreness. If I'm doing hand weights I listen to my body even more as I don't want to overdo it and pull something. Also, I'm 61, so everyone is different in regards to your type of non-weight lifting workout. I don't know anything (yet) about the weight lifting workouts and am not directing this answer to those.