15 min?

JaimeBrown5

K friends,
So as you know, I had a bit of a breakdown over the standstill I was at after 4 weeks of dedicated SL.

So, for the last 2 (?) weeks I've done a bunch of cardio and then the lifts from the program, spread over 4-5 days a week (so I do squats once a week, with barbell lunges too, and then overheads and rows another day, bench press and deads another, basically). I still lift as heavy as I can, and do lower-weighted warmups, and I do between 3-5 sets depending on time restraints.

What I want to know is, do you think it matters from a maintaining-muscle point, that my lifting is only around 15-25 minutes a day instead of 45-1 hr?

I want to get my weight down to a healthy level and then really focus on my muscle-building, but I don't want what I have to be gone by the time I'm down from all the cardio. So basically, am I doing enough to maintain?

JaimeBrown5

bump

ishtar13

I've been thinking about this since you posted. I think you haven't gotten response because the answer: we don't know.

What I *think* is that if you're doing the same lifts the same number of times during the week, even though it's more spread out, then you should maintain at least, if not improve.

SL is not the only way to lift, it's just a good way to show linear progression for beginners. So, if lifting this way is better for you, I don't think that's a problem. Are you still trying to increase weight regularly?

mamamudbug

I think something is better than nothing. I just don't know if 15 minutes is going to do anything for you. Maybe if you went really really heavy on that one body part?

Istar, we posted at the same time I just didn't want to leave Jamie hanging, I think you summed things up better than I did...

JaimeBrown5

I had a feeling that was why I wasn't getting an answer. I try to do as long as I can -ideally 25 min. And I do up my weights. In fact, if I do 3x5s I can do more weights than before because I do less warmup sets now.

mamamudbug

I think starting strength or one of the other programs like sl is based on 3x5. You may be ok. Worst case, I think you would slow down the rate you would lose lbm. I just don't know since I don't have enough education or experience.

Doreen_Murray

I have no idea, but for me I don't think I'd continue losing the inches I've been losing if I did that because I think doing these three exercise in one workout is what really boosts my metabolism for the day. I guess the best thing you can do is try it for a month or two and see (measure). I can't see how it would impact your strength though, that should continue to grow so I guess it just is a matter of what your goals are. Maybe a consult with a trainer who specializes in lifting would be helpful? Tricky question!