Thread: How much is too much?

Originally Posted by tannywild

Like I mentioned in previous posts, I'm going to the Navy..

I need to up my endurance, so how much is too much? I have the next 60 days off of work (took my 2 months vacation from work)..

I plan on running every other day, and on the off days swimming as much as I can... I'm gonna try to do cardio 1-2 hours a day and lift an hour each day with Sunday as a rest day..

Too much? Or can I step it up even more? Or should I just modify as I see fit? (Lessen it if I feel like I'm going to die)..

Inputs from the pros please

Personally I would train M/W/f and do cardio on T/T/S and take off Sunday.

Quick response TOM

Another question, what should I be doing in my off-time? (not working out)

I have a computer, so I'm gonna be playing computer games (I'm addicted)... However I figured I could goto the library and just read, should I try to stay active during my downtime or just chill?

I would probably just rest. Your body isn't going to adapt very well if it has no time to rest and repair itself from the stress.

I would drop my lifting to twice a week so that it doesn't get in the way of the cardio that you NEED to do to prepare for the Navy. I would drop the volume but keep the intensity (weight) high so that you can maintain and hopefully gain strength.

Originally Posted by tannywild

Quick response TOM

Another question, what should I be doing in my off-time? (not working out)

I have a computer, so I'm gonna be playing computer games (I'm addicted)... However I figured I could goto the library and just read, should I try to stay active during my downtime or just chill?

you have one rest day. that is sun. You do cardio on three days and Training on three days. If you want you can have a sled built for about $50 and drag it around on Two of your cardio days. Also keep your cardio to 30-45 min's. 1-2 hr is crazy. That will just burn LBM. I'll re-edot and put up a pic of my home made Sled.

What you will need.
1) A sled
2) about 30 ft of 1/2" rope.
3) Some kind of Clip to fast rope to sled
4) A weight belt of some sort

The sled:
As you all know I am a fanatic about pulling sleds. One can be built for about 40 bucks. Here’s how:

Get a piece of 1/4 inch steel plate at the scrap yard that is 21 inches by 24 inches. You will also need about a 12-15 inch piece of heavy wall 2 inch pipe.

Have your welding/machine shop either bend the 24 inch end up 3 inches to make the lip, or cut off 3 inches and weld it on at an angle to make a lip.

Have them weld the pipe smack dab in the middle of the 21 x 21 section, and then drill or punch a hole in the CENTER upper portion of the lip.

Note: The above sled is a pic of Iron addicts. I'm to lazy to go take a pic of mine and load it in.

Dude, that sounds f'n amazing.. Thanks for that idea, I'm really going to do that..

I was just gonna load alot of weight into a backpack and wear it, but the sled idea... Thank you

I agree with P, focus on the task at hand. 2 days of lifting each week should be enough for you to at least maintain your current size/strength, although some increases are certainly possible. I would give yourself one day off each week, and run and/or swim on the other 4 days of the week.

Originally Posted by tannywild

Dude, that sounds f'n amazing.. Thanks for that idea, I'm really going to do that..

I was just gonna load alot of weight into a backpack and wear it, but the sled idea... Thank you

P-funk and cowpimp are right about dropping it to two days a week. I think you can go with three days training if you keep the volume low. The sled will work nicely and I'm sure P-funk has this in his arsonal to.

Hey you guys. This guy goes in after a month or two pulling a sled, doing cardio 3 x a week and training and he will be fitter then 95% of the guys going in.

Okay -- just got back from a DEP meeting..

They're suggesting alot more endurance training..

One of the actual SEALs I spoke with told me to swim 500m, get out of the pool, do as many pushups as I could, as many pullsups as I could, then run 1.5 miles, and repeat this process 3 times.... DAILY.

This guy was crazy, he said this is what he did before he went into the SEALs and was able to ace their program with flying colors.. Should I try it?

I'm thinking something along these lines..

Monday / Tuesday - What he suggested (read the above)

Wednesday - Weight training (Chest / Back) And 3 miles pulling 100lb sled

Thursday / Friday - Again, what he suggested

Saturday - Weight training (Shoulders / tris / bis / legs) and 5 miles pulling 100lb sled

Sunday -- Only day of rest (And still might run this day)


Suggestions please.. I know I'd be killing myself physically, but would it improve my status to do it like this?

Originally Posted by tannywild

I was just gonna load alot of weight into a backpack and wear it, but the sled idea... Thank you

Wouldn't place the stress at the same places as the sled.

If you are trying to become a seal probably what most people say here would be too little work for you. Look at what they do and make guesses as to what you need to do to be there, swimming for 5 miles in your boots is not something MOST ordinary people would suggest or tell you is even "good for you." Obviously if you are trying to become a seal you are going to go beyond what anyone here probably views as healthy, because you will be a freak.

This is why, almost nobody makes it. This isn't normal fitness.

I agree with Mudge. Strength training and endurance training are two different things. Get good at the specific things you are going to have to do: running (with weight and boots), swimming until your chest heart feels like it is going to explode, push ups and pullups. I now guy's in the marines and if it is like the navy it is all about pushing you beyond what you think is possible.
Do exactly what the Navy Seal guy said to do, he should know.
Start with that and then start adding weight to your pushups and pullups one day a week, then two. The marines and Navy are all about high volume training. You have to be able to go on even when you are dead tired, they don't train like normal people...
The sled pulling could help with developing your lower body power.
I would work up to 500 pushups a day, and at 10 at least ten sets of however many pullups/ chinups you can do/ and 500 v-ups
Forget the weights for now.

Originally Posted by Tough Old Man

you have one rest day. that is sun. You do cardio on three days and Training on three days. If you want you can have a sled built for about $50 and drag it around on Two of your cardio days. Also keep your cardio to 30-45 min's. 1-2 hr is crazy. That will just burn LBM. I'll re-edot and put up a pic of my home made Sled.

What you will need.
1) A sled
2) about 30 ft of 1/2" rope.
3) Some kind of Clip to fast rope to sled
4) A weight belt of some sort

The sled:
As you all know I am a fanatic about pulling sleds. One can be built for about 40 bucks. Here’s how:

Get a piece of 1/4 inch steel plate at the scrap yard that is 21 inches by 24 inches. You will also need about a 12-15 inch piece of heavy wall 2 inch pipe.

Have your welding/machine shop either bend the 24 inch end up 3 inches to make the lip, or cut off 3 inches and weld it on at an angle to make a lip.

Have them weld the pipe smack dab in the middle of the 21 x 21 section, and then drill or punch a hole in the CENTER upper portion of the lip.

A sled is for pussys, I take the wheels off my car and drag it for a workout.