Is weight training essential?

Beaniebike
Beaniebike Posts: 8
edited November 10 in Social Groups
Hi,

This whole philosophy is really interesting. How woudn't like the idea of eating more, so I am really thinking about giving this a go. The only thing thats putting me off slightly is the training with weights aspect. I have done a fair bit of weight training in the past, but I'm more into road cycling these days. I may even branch back into some running ( I have been known to run half marathons, even did a full one a couple of years ago). I'm not against weight training per say. I'm just being very careful with money, and would rather not have a gym memership! Also, if truth be told, I have both time issues with getting to the gym, and motivation issues to get me out the house when I do have that rarity of time! I often (weather permitting) cycle a round trip of 11 miles to work. Fits the exercise into daily life nicely. When the weather is really bad, I cycle in the living room on my turbo trainer.

A friend at work has been working with a PT, and following a similar diet (albeit very high protein) and weight training.

So, thoughts? How important is actual weight training?

x

Replies

  • Jennbecca33
    Jennbecca33 Posts: 321 Member
    edited January 2015
    Weight training is very beneficial to the body, but it is not necessary to follow EM2WL. Many women love the results they get with lifting weights as it really shapes the body. The biggest problem occurs when people overdo it with cardio and have these huge calorie burns and then do not eat enough calories to support their activity. If you choose to stick with mostly cardio, be careful that you choose the right activity level when calculating your TDEE and eat accordingly. The body can see too much cardio as stress, so make sure you are giving your body rest days to recover.
  • Thanks jennbecca. Tbh, this was one of the reasons I gave up running the mad mileage. The marathon training was GRUELLING. I was constantly tired and hungry. And it was really difficult to fuel. I'm not cycling so much atm with the weather being so crap, so this might be a good time to start this. Although, as I was pressing send on my OP, it did kinda occur to me that I coukd invest in some free weights and do a bit of weight training at home. This I may consider. X
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    Even if you don't want to do weight training, you could start off doing a body weight training. I like the Nerdfitness one: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/
  • Pickles175
    Pickles175 Posts: 211 Member
    I can't afford a gym membership so I work out at home. I am using kettlebells right now and loving it! I have also heard that kettlebell workouts are great for cyclists (my bf is a huge mountain biker), so might be something to look into. :)
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Ditto's to some resistance training, especially the muscles you don't use in the cardio. Program above is good.

    Suggestion on the cardio.

    How frequent is it weekly, with intense sessions?

    Because if infrequent, like just 3 hrs, that could have you selecting an activity level that while indeed correct for the weekly average, could have you very unbalanced day to day.

    Meaning the average TDEE deficit method of course has you with more deficit on workout days and less on rest days.

    But the potentially bigger calorie burn because of intensity and/or time could mean the workout days are very big deficits - to the detriment of the workout, which really needs recovery with carbs right afterwards, if you intend to do it again.

    If that is the potential case, I'd suggest take 100 off eating goal on rest days, when your literal TDEE is lower anyway, and add it to the big workout day, when the TDEE really is higher. Probably by more than a mere 100.

    So if indeed 3 days of 3 hrs workout eat 100 higher than goal, then 3 rest days eat 100 lower than goal. That leaves 1 day eating at goal.

    And make 100-200 cal snack right after the intense workout be carb to protein ratio 4:1, that's for best uptake of the carbs in to the muscles for replenish. That helps recovery.

    Now, if hitting 4-5 hrs a week of even time like 1 hr each day, then the above doesn't apply. I would round up the Moderate Active figure though before taking 15% deficit.

    If the rides get longer in the good weather, then I'd suggest a modified version of this. Just to keep this in mind.
    Only count 1 hr daily of any planned workout for the TDEE estimate and the deficit.

    On days you actually do more than 1 hr, calculate calories for what was burned above the 1 hr, and eat those back on that day with same 15% deficit.

    Because for endurance cardio, you really need the extra cals the day you burned them, or within 24 hrs anyway.
  • Thanks for the replies guys. It actually occured to me last night that we could turn spare room into a mini gym! So, looking on Gumtree for some decent, reasonably priced weights. I've decided to do the metabolism reset. Watch this space. lol
  • Jennbecca33
    Jennbecca33 Posts: 321 Member
    Sounds like a good plan!
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    That's what I did - I ended up with a power rack, long bar & plates as well as adjustable dumbells.
  • Well, Ive found a nice set on gumtree. Bench with bar and dumbbell weights. And i'm on day 3 of eating HUNDREDS!!! Going well.
  • mymodernbabylon
    mymodernbabylon Posts: 1,038 Member
    Beaniebike wrote: »
    Well, Ive found a nice set on gumtree. Bench with bar and dumbbell weights. And i'm on day 3 of eating HUNDREDS!!! Going well.

    Good job!
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