Working out 3-4x a week, not daily....

JustJennie1

nm.

DostThouEven

It depends on what kind of 'working out" you are doing and what your current training level is with whatever type\s of working out you do. I personally prefer to work out as little as possible while still getting results as fast as possible. What anyone else thinks about that is of no import to me.

JustJennie1

I wasn't talking about YOU, I was generalizing about most people who go to the gym every day based on my experience.

Are they really there at the gym working out? Or socializing taking up space? :bigsmile:

Man, I see it all the time. People decide to get in shape and lose weight, whatever, then bust their butts every day on the treadmills and maybe some strength machines 6-7 days a week.

They hate it. They keep it up for a few weeks, few months, whatever..... then one day just quit. Of course they quit; no one wants to torture themselves forever. It's not worth it.

Quit or joined another gym? Or moved? Or perhaps have decided to do other things like workout at home?

I don't see the gym as "torture" and to say it's not worth it is rather funny. The benefits of being in shape are long term.

Are there people out there who do dislike working and probably quit? Yes but probably because they were looking for a quick fix and weren't getting the results fast enough so they gave up.

And yes, I know you're "generalizing based on your experience."

cwolfman13

I workout 6x weekly, but intensity varies. I only do 3x weekly in an aerobic zone for 30 min...another 3x weekly in a recovery zone (usually just a 30 min walk) on lift days, and I lift heavy strength training 3x weekly.

I would agree that many people simply over train..they don't really have training specific goals, they just think they have to do a gazillion hours on an elliptical to lose weight (even though a deficit is built into their diets)...it's pretty f'ing ridiculous. Really, your fitness goals should dictate how you train...if you want to run a marathon, you have to do a lot of running and various endurance cardio...if you want to make strength gains and build lean body mass, you have to spend time in the weight room and chill out a bit on the cardio. If you want to body build, you have to spend a substantial amount of time in the weight room. Those are all training specific goals. Most people "train" because they think they need to do so for weight loss...just silly and generally a waist of time from that standpoint as they don't get as much benefit from their fitness program as they could if they trained for a specific purpose outside of weight loss.

jonnythan

I wasn't talking about YOU, I was generalizing about most people who go to the gym every day based on my experience.

Are they really there at the gym working out? Or socializing taking up space? :bigsmile:

Man, I see it all the time. People decide to get in shape and lose weight, whatever, then bust their butts every day on the treadmills and maybe some strength machines 6-7 days a week.

They hate it. They keep it up for a few weeks, few months, whatever..... then one day just quit. Of course they quit; no one wants to torture themselves forever. It's not worth it.

Quit or joined another gym? Or moved? Or perhaps have decided to do other things like workout at home?

I don't see the gym as "torture" and to say it's not worth it is rather funny. The benefits of being in shape are long term.

Are there people out there who do dislike working and probably quit? Yes but probably because they were looking for a quick fix and weren't getting the results fast enough so they gave up.

And yes, I know you're "generalizing based on your experience."

Mostly quit.

I don't see the gym as torture either. I'm talking about the people who don't like the gym, or don't like the things they do at the gym, but go anyway because they feel like they have to. In my experience with friends and with people I meet at the gym that's how it goes more often than not.

So many people go torture themselves on the cardio machines day in and day out because they feel that's what fitness is.

I'm not talking about people who enjoy what they do there. There aren't many people who enjoy physical activity yet go to the gym every day, since most of them either recognize the value of rest, spend time playing sports or participating in other outdoor activities, etc. Those people do exist, and they tend to be in excellent shape. But I don't see many of them.

Look how many posts we see on MFP saying things like "I work out 3 hours every day and I'm not losing weight!" They talk about how much time they spend on the elliptical or whatever. Typically if you ask them how much they enjoy it, they don't. Those people are better off doing much less exercise, but exercise they actually enjoy.

difabu

I've been working out every WEEKday for the past month because, first, it's easier for me that way. I workout before work and it's done. I don't have to worry about fitting it in during my evenings when things are really busy. And I love the "high" going into my day! Second, my goal is overall fitness for the upcoming backpacking season. I am a member of a women's mountain-bike racing team and the season is NOW. So I need to step it up so I'm ready for the races. Third, I'm trying to lever myself out of a year-long rut.



From what *I* see about equal numbers of MFP members working out 3-4x or 5-6 times. I haven't noticed any "pressure" to workout every day (all 7). But if that's what some members want/need, then whatever. Why judge?

JJordon

Why work out six days a week? I've got weight to cut and every little bit of that progress pushes the scale for me in the right direction. Oh yeah.

majope

I don't see many examples of people getting looked down upon for working out 3-4 days per week. Actually, that's far and away the most recommended workout frequency on this site. You're seeing something that isn't there....

It's there. The other day, I suggested someone take one rest day a week, and another poster called me "lazy."

seena511

i work out about 6 times a week, often for more than an hour at a time. i also don't have any kids, and am training for running and biking events. you do what you can, according to what you want out of your workouts. not everyone has to turn fitness into a lifestyle - it can just be something you do to make yourself a little healthier.

PeekABooGirl

I exercise 3-5 times a week, depending on my schedule. When I exercise too much (daily), I get run down. When I exercise too little, I don't have that "pep" that endorphins give me. I exercise for fitness and health. I exercise to look good naked. I exercise so that when I get to my goal weight, I'll be happy with what I see in the mirror, instead of feeling disappointed.

Some people exercise every day because they've set their calorie goals pretty low and need the extra cals from working out. Some people have been convinced by shows like "The Biggest Loser" that the only way to lose weight is to go all out and exercise like crazy every day. Some people simply like to exercise that much. There are a lot of reasons.

The body needs rest though. It's just as important as healthy food and exercise. So, take your rest days and don't feel guilty! They're good for you.

Edit to add that actually building muscle is very difficult. It typically takes a calorie surplus, lots of protein, a heavy lifting program and time - especially if you are a woman. It's not easy. People who are new to exercising may see a small gain due to muscle (newbie gains) but beyond that, you really have to work to gain muscle.
When the scale goes up from exercising, it's because your muscles are retaining fluid in order to repair themselves. So, drink plenty of water and get some rest and the scale will go back down.

Thanks! Makes total sense!

PeekABooGirl

I don't see many examples of people getting looked down upon for working out 3-4 days per week. Actually, that's far and away the most recommended workout frequency on this site. You're seeing something that isn't there. However, when people ask "How do you have the time?", that's usually a judgy statement implying that other people don't have as many important things to do as you.

I'm not judging at all. I honestly am trying to figure out how it happens. Lots of my friends on here show daily workouts at the gym - burning anywhere from 200-1200 cals a day. So I'm wondering, how do they fit it in. I'm well aware that there are plenty of people who have busier lifestyles than myself. And in reading the answers here, I get it now. Some people wake up at the crack of dawn to get a work out in, etc. I am not able to do that, unfortunately. But it explains better how many people fit it in. Sorry if you interpreted me as judging others....

PeekABooGirl

So I'm curious - why do so many work out EVERY day?

Because they feel they have to. The popular image of "fitness" is spending hours on the treadmill every day. The longer you spend on the treadmill, the more fit you are. It's insane.

Um right. Because you totally know me and my reasons for doing what I do.

I wasn't talking about YOU, I was generalizing about most people who go to the gym every day based on my experience.

Yes, some people have better reasons. Some love working out. Some are training for a specific sport or event. Whatever. Those are fine.

I personally don't see results in simply doing cardio anyhow. I'm sure some do. And I know the cardiovascular results aren't as "visible" as weight loss results. I generally do some cardio but see better results in reshaping my figure by doing circuit training or the weight machines.

concordancia

I work out every day precisely to *make* the time. I get out of bed and I work out. No time to make excuses, no time to get distracted by other things. No laying in bed wondering whether or not today is a workout day.

This morning I slept in because I had a bad night. I am doing chair aerobics and stretching in the office because I wont get home until after 10pm. So, a lot of mental effort for a mediocre workout. You better believe I will be working out when I get up tomorrow!

For rest days, I just work out lighter, but at the same time. For example, I use the Wii a lot. I will do 20-40 minutes of Ea Active (circuit training) and fill out the hour with cardio most days. Every once in awhile, I will Zumba for the whole hour, which is still high intensity. But sometimes, I will just piddle around on balance games and light aerobics for an hour.

LorinaLynn

I exercise typically 6 days a week. Lifting 3x a week at home, usually between 30-45 minutes a pop, doing stuff like scooping cat boxes or loading the dishwasher or folding laundry between sets. I run 3x a week, too, between 3-6 miles. That's about 4.5-5 hours total per week... or about 4% of my waking time.

Since I have weights at home and run outside, there's no time spent commuting to and from the gym. That helps a lot, because the commute was what I hated most about the gym.

KenosFeoh

I'm following the Jamie Eason program from BodyBuilding.com, and in the beginning I'm working out 4 days in a row, then 3 days off. By the end of the program, I'll be working out 6 days per week. I think the idea of every other day has to do with recovery of muscle groups, so if you're working out every day, you want to change the muscle group you're working on.

jessykab74

I work out six days a week as well but first of all let me say that I think that is really crappy if anyone looks down on you for working out 3-4 days a week!!! Everyone needs to find what works best for them. I get up at 4:30 am to workout while my kids are still sleeping. I too am a single mom but I am my daughter is 12 can do the babysitting if my 8yr old wakes up before I get back. When I first started working out I found that when I was working out in the evenings or during my lunch break I was having a really hard time findig motivation. Working out as soon as I get up doesn't give me much time for excuses uknow.

RGv2

So I'm curious - why do so many work out EVERY day?

Because they feel they have to. The popular image of "fitness" is spending hours on the treadmill every day. The longer you spend on the treadmill, the more fit you are. It's insane.

Um right. Because you totally know me and my reasons for doing what I do.

I workout every day because I like to. I love lifting weights. I love doing my cardio. I feel awesome, energized and accomplished when I'm finished. I love the way I feel sore the next day. I love the gains I make. I love it when every week I lift a little bit more and break my own PR's, I get crabby when I don't or can't workout. I like being active. I like the muscles that I have from my exercise.

I just plain like working out.

Oh and I don't spend "hours on the treadmill." In fact my daily cardio is 30 minutes long followed by an 60-70 minutes of lifting.

I LOL'd at this. Shall a "Sarcasm" sign be posted next time.

I understood what he meant. There are quite a few people who workout everyday, and hate it, but because they saw it on The Biggest Loser they they think 90 minutes of cardio 8 days a week is required to lose weight not understanding how important rest days are.

And yes, they quit. You can see in their face how much they hate it and they always comeback...in the spring when they realize it's almost "swimsuit seasion" and in the winter at "resolution" time.

DiannaDC

I work out about five days a week. I'm a stay at home mom to a seven year old who is in school all day and an almost six month old. I take her along with me to the YMCA and she stays in the daycare while I work out. I don't normally work out on Saturday or Sunday because my son plays two sports and Saturdays are his games and Sundays my husband works and the gym closes early. Other than that if I can't make it to the gym I run the golf course with baby in the stroller and my son on his bike.

meshashesha2012

i try to do something active at least once a day and have at least 4 days of exercise if not 6 (sometimes 7 teehee)

i work out and stay active because i LOVE IT!! i worked out while i gained weight so i already know exercise and weight loss arent a given

bacamacho

I'm training for a sport that I'm not gifted at, so I get at least 6 days of physical activity, whether I want it or not, lol! I'm one of those that needs to compete to get off my lazy butt. If I'm not training, I'm lucky to get up and do something 3-4X a week, and I don't give a flying fig what anyone thinks about that.

If losing weight is what you're looking to do, you don't need to work out all week long. I could burn quite a bit in 4 days, if losing weight was my goal.

I'm often training for something, and that's what motivates me to move 6 days a week, one rest day to recover. Sometimes I'm not feeling it and don't get all 6, but that's the goal. I'm mostly here because I can eat all my burned calories and more. Trying to rein in that appetite and learn to get more out of less.

SkimFlatWhite68

Hi all, I walk 5 x per week because that is how I get to work - walk/get train/walk both directions, it's about 5km per day.

This year I joined the gym. I go at 5am weekdays because that is what I can fit in. I planned to do 3 days on Mon, Wed, Fri, but it's much easier just to get up at 5am on sequential days. So my routine has more or less settled on Monday and Friday being rest days (and sleep in until 6), with Tues weights, Wed HIIT, Thurs weights - being 5am gym days. Then I go on Saturday to do a full body weights workout and HIIT, and that makes 4 gym days.

Works for me! Plus, I really enjoy it! If I didn't, I would not go. Sometimes I go on Sundays, but again, it's if I feel like it.

wassergottin

I actually love the endorphin rush I get from running - plus my dog is a very high energy dog. So I run 5-6 days a week, about 30-40 minutes each time, and on Saturdays I do my long runs. Generally, those long runs are trail runs in the mountains so it becomes a "run until it's too steep, and then hike-climb the rest of the way".

I do an at home weight routine 4-5 times a week using dumbells, a pull up bar, a yoga ball, and my body weight. It's not as great as what I could be doing at the gym, but it works for me as a broke college student!