Would this be too much exercise?

meg7399

Erm, no....not every day for the rest of my life. Nor do I ever intend on having 1 kid, let alone 10.

Anyone else?

Then yes it is too much exercise. Unless you're training for a sport specific event there's no need to work of twice a day. It overtaxed your body.

The kids example was just that an example. There are thousands of other ones I could have used. If you can't see yourself keeping up wih something long term then it's too muh for weight loss and/or fitness.

How does this even make sense??? She doesn't need to be training for anything. She can work out more now, drop weight, tone up, whatever and when she is comfortable with where she is she can cut back on workouts, up calories, or whatever is needed for a healthy consistent lifestyle. You are giving totally bogus information here!

marie_2454

I don't think that's too much at all, as long as you're not going like that every day. I'd suggest taking 1-3 days off a week and backing off a bit if you start getting really sore. I say go for it!

Beth720

Hello...

So I go to the gym 3 or 4 times per week where I do 25 mins of HIIT, 5 mins xtrainer (to warm down) and weights. On my non-gym day during the week I go for a lunchtime run, just 5-6k gentle jogging.

I was wondering if I would be okay doing both of these things on the same day in order to increase my stamina, fitness and calorie burn.

I have heard of people who run twice a day so sure this is no different? Can anyone advise whether it would be sensible to do this or whether it would be deemed as too much?

TIA :-)

Many if not most of the people who run twice a day are elite athletes who are in training for specific races. Their calorie intake reflects the amount of exercise they do. By and large they aren't trying to lose weight - but they have to maintain so as not to lose muscle to body cannibalism. In that same vein, you'll need to be diligent about eating back your exercise calories so as not to have your body eat the muscle you're working so hard to develop.

I'm currently training for a marathon (most definitely as a non-elite), and from past experience, I know that the amount of training alone and the nutrition required to do it right make marathon training not an ideal time to try and lose weight. I'm going to give it my best shot simply by being more diligent about what I eat...but I know that I may not be able to hit my weight loss goals AND run the best marathon I can. I might have to make a choice.

MjDavis1981

I wish I was that motivated. I do Zumba 5 days a week. And that's about all I can handle. With my health issues, my body just wears down easily. And every now and then, I will take a day and sleep for like 20+ hours. Dr says it's okay for me, and I should just let me body tell me what it wants. But to learn the difference between lazy and tired.

sozzell

Thanks to all for their replies. I haven't started doing the lunchtime run AND gym in the evening yet, but I am enjoying my lunchtime run on my non-gym day so much that I want to do it every day! I also want to still be able to do the gym work as well...

I don't exercise on Saturdays/Sundays - those are my rest days. Although if the weather is nice I may go for a leisurely bike ride or walk...but overall they are rest days.

Re: the HIIT thing, when I am doing it, doing the sprint part, I honestly feel like I can not go any faster/harder, so this is why it is really confusing me when you say that I am obviously not working hard enough if I can lift weights in the same session...

EDIT: Am I getting this right: If I lift before doing intervals it is ok, but not the other way around?!

vim_n_vigor

Is there a trainer at your gym that you could run this by? Someone who sees you do what you are doing?

cyclerjenn

just listen to your body, it will tell you when you need to slow down and take it easy. Have fun!

Nigerianebony

As a fitness trainer, we pretty much train 1-2 or even 3 times a day. And i can tell you this, most trainers (I know, not all) actually gained weight and started to store fat because we don't give our bodies rest and not eating enough. I would have my own training schedule and teach too many classes. I was working out 15-20 hours a week.

So i had to tell myself not to do the actual class and start instructing more ( although, the class found it motivating if i did it with them). So once I adjusted my workout hours to 6-7 hours a week. Weight started coming off and I became leaner.

This is just personal experience. i actually do know some people who workout 15-20 hours a weeks and are doing just fine. I think my problem was the diet part and no rest mainly.

Hellbent_Heidi

I know people who work out even more than that, and don't have any problems with it being too much.

Personally, I believe your body will TELL YOU when its too much exercise. If it feels good, and you aren't getting run down/exhausted from getting a doing this much, then by all means, go for it.

Just be sure to pay attention to your body when it needs a rest!!

MikeyD1280

you should get your strength training in first so you can push your muscles to their potential, then do the cardio training. Cardio first can alter how well you can do for strength training. If your goal is to run faster and harder, pylometrics will help and switching up your routine.

Keep in mind too that all people are still different. everyone that does the same exact training will still have different results. You apparently are hardcore for maximizing your time in incorporating so much training, but if you want more results, give your body a longer rest. It's resting where your body is doing its growing...

Beth720

I know people who work out even more than that, and don't have any problems with it being too much.

Personally, I believe your body will TELL YOU when its too much exercise. If it feels good, and you aren't getting run down/exhausted from getting a doing this much, then by all means, go for it.

Just be sure to pay attention to your body when it needs a rest!!

While I generally agree with "listen to the body", I've encountered far too many people who will say "Oh, I'm tired..." or "Oh, this hurts..." but follow that with "...but I HAVE to work out. I get grumpy/frustrated/depressed/insert your own word if I can't!!!" These are people who very potentially could be classified as being addicted to exercise. They physically cannot or will not listen to the signals their bodies are sending to stop or take a break because they're so addicted to the endorphins.

So yes, your body will tell you when it's tired/overtrained. Just make sure you can listen to your body and respond to what it's telling you and NOT say "But I have to!!!"

Dreamweaver_5107

I know people who work out even more than that, and don't have any problems with it being too much.

Personally, I believe your body will TELL YOU when its too much exercise. If it feels good, and you aren't getting run down/exhausted from getting a doing this much, then by all means, go for it.

Just be sure to pay attention to your body when it needs a rest!!

While I generally agree with "listen to the body", I've encountered far too many people who will say "Oh, I'm tired..." or "Oh, this hurts..." but follow that with "...but I HAVE to work out. I get grumpy/frustrated/depressed/insert your own word if I can't!!!" These are people who very potentially could be classified as being addicted to exercise. They physically cannot or will not listen to the signals their bodies are sending to stop or take a break because they're so addicted to the endorphins.

So yes, your body will tell you when it's tired/overtrained. Just make sure you can listen to your body and respond to what it's telling you and NOT say "But I have to!!!"

That's a good point, have to know the difrerence between good pain (I love it) and bad pain ( not so much) . Comes with experience...untill you do you should err on the side of caution. Many a time a trainee has said to me this hurts should they take it easy. I just tell them I can't feel what you're feeling so be careful. I know when to train and not to but I can be stuboron being a highly motivated athlete.

mmapags

The other issue to be tuned into is fatigue and lethargy. Sometimes in the absence of pain these symtoms can indicate overtraining. Especially where the central nervous system is involved in things like HIIT and heavy lifting. To the OP, God bless you if you are able to go all out at HIIT and still have energy left for strength training!

Hellbent_Heidi

I know people who work out even more than that, and don't have any problems with it being too much.

Personally, I believe your body will TELL YOU when its too much exercise. If it feels good, and you aren't getting run down/exhausted from getting a doing this much, then by all means, go for it.

Just be sure to pay attention to your body when it needs a rest!!

While I generally agree with "listen to the body", I've encountered far too many people who will say "Oh, I'm tired..." or "Oh, this hurts..." but follow that with "...but I HAVE to work out. I get grumpy/frustrated/depressed/insert your own word if I can't!!!" These are people who very potentially could be classified as being addicted to exercise. They physically cannot or will not listen to the signals their bodies are sending to stop or take a break because they're so addicted to the endorphins.

So yes, your body will tell you when it's tired/overtrained. Just make sure you can listen to your body and respond to what it's telling you and NOT say "But I have to!!!"

Well said, and while I am guilty of saying how I "hate to miss a workout", I couldn't agree more that its extremely important to include rest in everyone's fitness routine. I do see a lot of people here who seem to be terrified to take a day off for fear they'll fall off the speeding train and not be able to get back on. Its all about finding a sustainable lifestyle balance.

sozzell

Hi to all and thanks for further replies.

So, today I tried weights first, and yes I was able to increase the kg of the weights for most of the machines but only by 1 marker....and then I tried to get on the treadmill and my legs wouldn't work! I just could not run, I felt so weak....so I did walking uphill instead of intervals.

I am going to try what the majority here suggested and do weights on a different day to intervals, but can I clarify: Could I still have an afternoon run on my lifting days, as I won't be lifting until 5-6 hours later?

Also, to the person who said: "god bless" - lol, that did sound a bit patronising ;-) but as I stated earlier, maybe my HIIT isn't actually HIIT, but just plain ol' intervals?

As I said as well, I don't have a heart monitor but I can tell you what my routine was: running at 8.6 mph for the sprint followed by walking at 4.3mph. For 25 mins. May not be a lot to you, but for someone who couldn't do a gentle jog for even 1 minute last year, I'm quite pleased. Maybe I got ahead of myself thinking what I was doing was HIIT :-/

mmapags

Hi to all and thanks for further replies.

So, today I tried weights first, and yes I was able to increase the kg of the weights for most of the machines but only by 1 marker....and then I tried to get on the treadmill and my legs wouldn't work! I just could not run, I felt so weak....so I did walking uphill instead of intervals.

I am going to try what the majority here suggested and do weights on a different day to intervals, but can I clarify: Could I still have an afternoon run on my lifting days, as I won't be lifting until 5-6 hours later?

Also, to the person who said: "god bless" - lol, that did sound a bit patronising ;-) but as I stated earlier, maybe my HIIT isn't actually HIIT, but just plain ol' intervals?

As I said as well, I don't have a heart monitor but I can tell you what my routine was: running at 8.6 mph for the sprint followed by walking at 4.3mph. For 25 mins. May not be a lot to you, but for someone who couldn't do a gentle jog for even 1 minute last year, I'm quite pleased. Maybe I got ahead of myself thinking what I was doing was HIIT :-/

My apologies if my comment sounded patronizing. Envious is more like it! As to the run and lifting on the same day, that should be fine. There is generally a recomedation to have at least 8 hours for CNS recovery of doing HIIT but if you are just doing moderate intensity steady state run and you have the energy to lift later, great!

sozzell

Hi to all and thanks for further replies.

So, today I tried weights first, and yes I was able to increase the kg of the weights for most of the machines but only by 1 marker....and then I tried to get on the treadmill and my legs wouldn't work! I just could not run, I felt so weak....so I did walking uphill instead of intervals.

I am going to try what the majority here suggested and do weights on a different day to intervals, but can I clarify: Could I still have an afternoon run on my lifting days, as I won't be lifting until 5-6 hours later?

Also, to the person who said: "god bless" - lol, that did sound a bit patronising ;-) but as I stated earlier, maybe my HIIT isn't actually HIIT, but just plain ol' intervals?

As I said as well, I don't have a heart monitor but I can tell you what my routine was: running at 8.6 mph for the sprint followed by walking at 4.3mph. For 25 mins. May not be a lot to you, but for someone who couldn't do a gentle jog for even 1 minute last year, I'm quite pleased. Maybe I got ahead of myself thinking what I was doing was HIIT :-/

My apologies if my comment sounded patronizing. Envious is more like it! As to the run and lifting on the same day, that should be fine. There is generally a recomedation to have at least 8 hours for CNS recovery of doing HIIT but if you are just doing moderate intensity steady state run and you have the energy to lift later, great!

Thanks for your reply. Think tomorrow I will try the jogging at lunch and then just lifting at the gym in the evening :-)

Could I also ask anyone whether they think the weights I do is sufficient? 8 reps, 4 sets of 7 or 8 different weight machines?

mmapags

Went back and read your workout details and it looks fine. If I were to adjust anything it would be no more than 6 reps and higher weight. Up to about 6 reps builds strength without size. Once at 8 reps and over, you are going into the hypertrophy zone where you build size. Probably not an issue for you as a woman as it's very hard for a woman to build size due to lack of testosterone (and steriods). So that adjustment is really a shade of grey. Other than that, looks good!

sozzell

Sorry only just seen this, thanks for your reply!