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

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.

Just depends on your goals. 3-4 times a week is excellent for general health and weight loss especially with your schedule.

I try for 6 times a week, but I alternate days of running (or cycling) & strength training that way each system and group of muscles gets a chance to rest. What you want to avoid is over use injuries which occur when you do the same workout day after day.

I work out 3-4 times a week. My youngest goes to school Tuesday, Thursday, and alternate Fridays, so I really push myself on those days, because I have extra time to devote to it, with no distractions. The days that he is home I aim for a 30 minute workout. I don't workout on the weekends, because we are usually busy with family stuff. My workouts are at home, which makes it easier to fit in. I usually do a Walk Away the Pounds video.

The bottom line is that you have to do what works for you. If you push too hard, or are spread yourself too thin, it won't be sustainable in the long run. This is a journey, and a lifestyle, so it has to work for YOU. Good luck.

I work out at the gym 4-5 times a week depending on what my partner is working as i have 2 toddlers and need to go around him. Then on at least 1 of the other days i go out for an hours walk and walk as fast as i can. I try and make sure i have 1-2 day rest a week but it all depends on what my partner is doing. Like this week i can only go today wednesday and thursday and then not again till Tuesday. So i will be going all 3 days. But tonight i have aerobics, tomorrow lunch time i have spinning and then thursday late afternoon i will use the actually gym. I love the gym though and would go more even if i took it easy. Its nice to have some me time

I've finally broken out of a plateau by upping my workouts from 3 times a week to 4-5 days. Also, I did spinning twice last week and this week lost 2 pounds. It may be temporary, but it's nice to see the numbers going down again regardless.

I'd say if working out 3-4 days is working for you, there's no need to change it.

I have been working out for the past 3 months minimum 4x a week and sometimes 5-6 x a week, depending on what my body tells me. I am in a win to lose competition at my gym and we earn points for going to gym 5x a week. It is hard to do so, but I am trying. I've been trying to figure out the best routine for me and like i said - listen to my body. Right now I took Monday off, I am going Tues, Wed, Thur, Friday off and then Sat, Sun. good luck!

I work out six times a week, sometimes seven (yoga/stretching on that extra day). I have nothing but time and we have a gym at home, so those make working out easier. If I need more rest I'll take a day off, it's not the end of the world.

I Work out 7 days per week and enjoy it. I built my body up to being able to do that over time through small increases in activity each week. I developed my body through sports primarily boxing. I started training at age 14 and I am now currently 30 years old. I do it because when I reduce my activity during the week, over time I begin to notice decreases in physical ability. I began exercising for performance and I've continued to judge my physical health by performance. I run, lift weights, jump rope, and punch bags 7 days a week. I believe your training should depend on your goals. There is nothing wrong with exercising 3 times per week if it helps you reach your goal, but if your goal seems to get further and further away from you then, and only then should you consider a change.

I workout 6 days a week with saturday being my day off. My wife has to be at work at 8am....I have to be at work at 9am. Of course it takes her much longer to get ready in the mornings so, I get the 3 kids up, fix their lunch and get them to the bus stop. Granted we only live a mile from the schools but, after they get on the bus, I hop in the truck, drive 3 minutes to my gym...workout for an hour, get back home and I have just enough time to grab a shower, pick up or clean the kitchen, ect....and then off to work I go. I do cardio every day....and I alternate lifting in three days a week. example: Mon...cardio 30 min, lifting 30 minutes...tues...cardio 40-50 min....wed...cardio 30 min, lifting 30 min....thurs...cardio 40-50 min....etc...etc..

Some might say that's not enough lifting time but, I don't do legs. My legs have been built for a long time and the elliptical and stair machine at the gym tend to work them pretty well anyway. My lifting is strictly upper body and back. I do NOT put down those that just workout 3 times a week. that's more than what most people are doing so, I give them props for at least getting in those 3 days

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.

A newbie but I go on my days off work. So 2 weeks ago it was Sunday (previous week), Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday. Last week it was only Monday as I went away and this week it is Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.

I workout every day but often the days are gentle, maybe half an hour of dancing or yoga. I really push for a long, hard workout once a week and mix it up the other days with shorter workouts and just yoga or walking if I am really low on energy. One of my main reasons for working out is stress relief/relaxation and I find that doing something every day is very helpful with that.

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

Why not? To some people its not working out. To some people exercise is a daily activity thats part of their lifestyle which they have adapted to over time.

What are you so busy doing every day that makes working out sound like a chore? Whatever that is, is probably the answer to your question. While some people choose to exercise daily, you choose to do [insert your activity here].

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:

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.