Is it bad to work out 4 days in a row?

If you are going to work out 4 days a week I, personally, wouldnt do it 4 days in a row, especially just starting out.

As you admit, the latter days you were spent and to be honest you likely didnt get much out of those workouts. I believe, in my non expert opinion, that you would get more out of your workouts as stated if you didnt do more than 2 days in a row. That way your body can rest and repair and you get more out of your workout.

You want a quality workout, and if by 3 and 4 in a row you are experiencing what you say then that isnt worth it.

For me, the key to sticking with exercise for the long term has been finding workouts I enjoy, finding a schedule I can live with and adapting the intensity of the workouts to my fitness level. It has been something of a magic formula for me (notice I said "for me!" I'm not saying this is all there is for everyone!), someone who couldn't stick to working out (let alone enjoy it) for my entire 35 years before now. It sounds like you have found two out of the three pieces of that puzzle. You enjoy water aerobics. The schedule works for you. Now you just need to adapt the workouts to your fitness level. Don't be shy about doing something a little different from the rest of the class. Talk to your instructor about modifying the exercises to meet your capabilities. Listen to your body and don't push it to the point of pain or muscle failure (that spaghetti noodle feeling). You want to feel that burn, but take a little break if you feel like cooked pasta, and then get right back into the reps at a lower intensity (lighter weights or slower/fewer reps).

Also (for me!) what is absolutely key to working out several days in a row and still feeling strong is eating a small high-protein snack right after my workout (within 15-60 minutes). This helps muscles recover from the microscopic tears they get during hard exercise. My favorite is fat-free Greek yogurt. (I like Fage because it doesn't have the thickener additives.)

Good luck and don't give up!

Edit - I work out 6-7 days a week and have from the very beginning without injuring myself, in my opinion thanks to adapting the exercise to my fitness level and eating protein soon after my workout to aid in recovery.

^^^Agreed. I work out 5 times a week and will have a rotation on the muscles im working on.

Agree with previous posters. I work out every day but not the same thing every day. Sounds like you need to mix things up.

I work out 6 days in a row, but I do different things. Monday trainer, Tuesday Kickboxing, Wednesday gym (usually weights and cardio), Thursday Kickboxing, Friday rest day, Saturday gym (either Pilates and cardio or weights and cardio), Sunday gym (either yoga and cardio or weights and cardio).

Thursday kickboxing is TOUGH! I am TIRED but Wed I tend to be a little bit of a slacker and don't push myself as hard as I could so really it's like a 1/2 rest day and I need that push on Thursday.

I do 5-6 days a week, 3 days lifting sometimes cardio after that, off days from lifting cardio or HIIT such as a walk, bike ride etc.

I do take a day for rest from exercise...not sure I can call it a rest day tho...:bigsmile:

WATER AEROBICS can be very, very gentle---4 days IMHO will be fine once you figure out how to adjust the intensity.

You are off Fri, Sat, Sun and it sounds like you really only enjoy one fitness routine, water aerobics---most women 42 yr of age find it hard to continue something UNLESS they really want to be engaged in doing it, so unless there is something you do like a lot, find a balance for yourself. One previous poster mentioned asking the Instructor if you can workout without holding weights or vary what you do to be more comfortable.

Many people with hip or knee problems tolerate the water aerobics classes very well--Again

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if you have just started, your endurance is sure to improve and you'll gain strength as you go. So 'rest' for the next 3 days and then try the 4 days again in a row but with the much needed modifications. GL

I work out 7 days/ week (I don't log lifting days).

I do something different everyday. (i.e. different muscle groups) and do a lot of HIIT, I sometimes double up and do a workout mid-day and again at night. I try to do 50-60 minutes daily of SOMETHING. Whatever that looks like, just get moving and don't overdo it, if you feel you need a rest day, take it.

Sidenote: It's summer in Canada and I gots beer to drink so I need to EARN my cals... lol...

OP so glad you posted this. I've been working out 6 to 7 days a week with a rest day thrown in there sometimes. Yesterday's workout was very difficult so I am unsure if I should rest or go back at it.

Also you should be so proud of how long you can go. When I started I could barely run a mile! Great job!

Yeah, at some point they can be counterproductive if you overwork yourself. You want to get the most out of your workouts and if you are going 6-7 days a week and are struggling it may be a sign to take off an extra day.

I get it, when you do it feels like you are "cheating". Been there, done that. I typically go 5 and sometimes 6 times a week and for awhile it was all 7. I found that I had more progress when I took two days off in a week (for me it usually was tues/fri on mon-thur) and I could improve my workouts and runs.

I always say listen to your body- if you are finding it hard at 4 days maybe you should alternate your routine to different days x

Keep it up! It will get better and hurt less as you continue to do it more.
ETA Before I picked up my second job, I worked out every day except Sundays and it was great. The person who suggested talking to your instructor about possible modifications on days when you can't work to your fullest was right though. Push yourself, but don't injure yourself.

Will this get better as I work out more? Or do I really need to spread out my workouts? I don't want to as water aerobics are my favorite way to work out and the classes are only offered Monday - Thursday. I like deep and shallow water and I don't want to pick between the two.

How long have you been doing this routine? It really should get better, but I do think 3 rest days can be setting you back every week. What if you added something different (like strength training or some additional cardio) into the middle of those 3 off days? It would help increase your stamina and strength and break up those rest days.

It is bad to lift heavy (meaing high weight low repetition) for the same muscle groups multiple days in a row because you don't give your body sufficient time to rest and repair.

You can do cardio as much as you like though and from your description what you are doing is cardio. Just because you are holding weights doesn't make it weight lifting really, it just makes it cardio with weights.

Honestly you can work out every day if you want, just a matter of personal preference.

There's nothing wrong working out 4 days in a row, however, I would try to target different areas of your body each day. You have to let your muscles rest at some point and by doing upper body day, lower body another and so on you allow muscles to recoup. I may do cardio one day and strength the next, or if its 5 days of circuits then I try to take a break in between.

But bottom line, do what works for you and do things that you enjoy so that you stay committed. If a particular muscle group is sore, then rest, if not then do it again the next day.

Have fun!