frequency of weight training to build muscle for women

kathleennf

HI guys!
OK so for the past year or so I have been focusing on trying to build muscle. I just ran all the numbers for the year. I started doing "real" weight training with a trainer about a year ago. Based on what I had read, I had planned to do weights about 3 days a week but the trainer said no, I can do weights every day just do different muscle groups. (I am 50 years old, female and "skinny fat" - BMI bottom end of normal. What I would like ideally is to gain about 5 lb of all muscle haha.) Main obstacle is work- I travel a lot, so I can train a lot when I am home, but when I'm on the road it's variable but mostly not.)

So here are the results for one year: weight stable, per cent fat down a little (from about 28% to about 25.5%- it varies a little - I use an online calculator), lean body mass up a bit. So I could just be patient and keep doing more of the same - except spending 2 hours a day in the gym is not really what I want to do for the rest of my life. I am scared to eat a LOT more because I don't want to put back on the fat that I worked so hard to lose. So- what should I do?

Main question- should I do weights (close to) every day (when I am in town), or should I back off to 3 days per week? Which would help me build muscle better?

Thanks!!

kdiamond

You only need to train 3-4 days a week tops. You could really get it done in 3. To build muscle you're going to have to go into a surplus of calories though!

kathleennf

Thanks. That's kind of what I was thinking.