Thread: Does hard labor count as a workout??

I also work a physical job. It cannot substitute for resistance training. At first it probably could. However, his body has adapted to the loads imposed on him by landscaping. Resistance training provides for ever-increasing resistance. From what I've read, no other form of exercise naturally increases hormone levels like weight training.

No subs for weight training.

that's what I thought. He is trying to find a physical reason for why he is losing energy. Currently blamming it all on sleep apnea.

I try to be that voice of reason and suggest hitting the gym again like he used to. Raise his energy levels and get in shape. I don'e believe that being a landscaper automaticaly makes you a fit person. The sleep apnea is total bullshit. He doesn't have bags under his eyes at all. He looks fine, healthy no problem.

I don't know what else to tell him. He's pissin' me off.....


Quiller

When I was blacksmithing, and doing other metalwork, I found it almost impossible after 8 hrs work at the forge, or cutting/heaving metal around, to come back at the end of the day and train. One just want's to flop down in front of the PC or TV, or lie down and go to sleep.......
:o :o

But hard labour , is no way like a workout. Your muscles grow a bit , and then you cruise along at that size, never changing. There aren't many large muscled Blacksmith's around, lots of them are average to 'stringy'........... Good way to keep one's BF% down though.

Manual labor, whatever it is, is not a substitute for weight training. In itself, it is a good workout, more “body” specific because of the nature of the job – there are a lot of “unorthodox” movements used which are mastered but don’t offer enough stimulus for growth like a weight training program. Your cousin probably does work hard all day performing hundreds of repetitions and lifting hundreds of pounds – steadily, all day, and his strength probably matches his work ethic. 8 hours (or more) of that kind of work taxes the body as a whole and can leave the worker drained at the end of the day, especially if it’s hot and humid. If he is always tired then it would be best for him to check his diet, hydration techniques, mindset (does he hate his job?), and conditioning.

I’d tell him to jack up his protein and carbs and cut out any soft drinks. Also, to eat, take a cool shower and the nap right after work – and later, do some type of training that will improve his overall situation – for example, a cardio based activity.

On a side note, sleep apnea is a very serious problem for some people and he should address that issue so his health isn't compromised due to lack of sleep.

No

Originally Posted by Quiller

that's what I thought. He is trying to find a physical reason for why he is losing energy. Currently blamming it all on sleep apnea.

I try to be that voice of reason and suggest hitting the gym again like he used to. Raise his energy levels and get in shape. I don'e believe that being a landscaper automaticaly makes you a fit person. The sleep apnea is total bullshit. He doesn't have bags under his eyes at all. He looks fine, healthy no problem.

I don't know what else to tell him. He's pissin' me off.....


Quiller

some causes could be from the lack of sleep, lack of regular exercise (manual labor does not count), poor diet (could be too low in good fats). environmental stresses along with a combination of other things can reak havoc on test production.

manaual labour gave me better body than weight training