Diminishing returns?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Diminishing returns?
14
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 9:00am
I was thinking about my "normal" workout schedule and how I try to the gym about 6 times a week.





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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 9:23am

I think it really depends on what your goals are. If that extra day is just cardio, it's probably safe to skip it unless you're trying to lose weight and/or increase your cardiovascular capacity.

I think when you force your body into a certain kind of schedule, you run the risk of overtraining and also getting mentally exhausted with the whole thing. Prior to my surgery, I was trying to get between 5 and 6 hours of cardio per week. I was so fried. I found myself tired all the time and skipping workouts (which I never do).

I think that as long as your bases are covered (meaning that you've adequately strength trained and done enough cardio to keep your heart in shape), that extra day is negotiable. Maybe one week you'll feel like hiking and the next week you need to rest.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 9:26am
I'm trying to plan when I can get my skating in.





iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 9:36am

I've hit plateaus with my workouts where the extra workout didn't make a difference, but if I changed things up, it would make a difference. I'm interested in trying new things, but sometimes it's hard to change things up when you're used to a certain routine, y'know? When I go to the gym, I like going in with a plan...but sometimes I wish I were more laid-back about it. :)

Syd

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 9:54am

That is where I am at ~ a standstill. I know my body is just used to the hours I spend on cardio at the gym. I decided to start running. This will be my second week. I have had 2 hours of cardio at the gym and today will make 3 1/2 hours. Wed, Thur. and Fri. I will be running, and then teaching a cardio class on Saturday. It is making a big difference, just because my body is saying " whoa, what the heck is she doing to me now?!". One of the lectures I took at DCAC, the guy talked about how every 3-4 weeks you should change what you do even a little. It keeps your body at attention. So, I thought I would try it.

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 11:03am

i think it depends on what you would have done on that 6th day, what you plan to do instead, and what your goals are. if i were doing everything i wanted to do in terms of crosstraining, i couldn't fit it all in "just" six workouts a week because you figure you have to do most things at least twice a week to make progress at it, and i'd want to make progress at: yoga (flexibility, balance, mental focus), pilates (core strength, different kind of flexibility than yoga), swimming (muscular endurance for surfing, develop swimming technique, cardio endurance), kickboxing (kickboxing form,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 11:09am

i think you are thinking too narrowly in terms of what "working out" is. you don't have to end up with sore muscles or be all out of breath for something to be a workout. flexibility is an important part of fitness. coordination is an important part of fitness. balance is a really really important of fitness. maintaining coordination and balance once you begin to get fatigued is an important part of fitness. working small muscles that you might not use while lifting weights but that you need for everyday is an important part of fitness. the kind of workout you get from skating gives you a lot of elements of fitness that you aren't getting from sweating hard from a run or lifting heavy weights. i think skating once a week would benefit your overall fitness more than

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 11:11am
Definitely--I'd rather do 5 good days where I've changed what I've done and am working harder than do 6 days of same old, same old.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 11:12am
Adding running made a big difference for me, too.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 11:15am
There's no way I could fit in everything in a week, either.





iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-16-2005 - 11:16am

Me too... I love being outside. It has been so hot that even at 930 am it is hard to breathe due to the humidity.

~Melissa ~

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