overtraining/undertraining

[Charger]

I know this is going to stir some of you up but I have been a member of this forum since Dec and I have noticed something. Why is everybody so afraid of high volume? I think some people are so afraid of overtraining they are in effect undertraining. I am 38 and WHEN MY WORK ALLOWS ME I will work out for 2 hours, actually 1 1/2 spent lifting and 1/2 spent locker room ect... 4 days a week. I am making gains even though everyone says I can't be. The only supp I take is protein powder. I was also wondering how many of you have tried this? Anyway things were getting a little boring and I thought maybe this could liven things up a bit!

 

[EarWax]

Hi Charger,

Yep, I believe you are right for some people. My brother does his workouts for 1 1/2 hours and he makes big gains. What works for me is more intensity (more weight), not necessarily more time (I haven't tried). Anyway, if you have time I say go for it!

 

[Arnold]

so you're saying that you work-out for 1 1/2 hours, 4 days per week. I don't think that is overtraining.

Personally I workout 3-4 days per week, (usually only 3), for 1 hour & 15 minutes.


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train hard!

 

[jake-04]

i train 3 to 4 days a week for 1 1/2 hours usually. that includes 4 to 5 differant exercises,3 to 4 sets, and an ab workout. question, should i be doing my cardio on the other days, or on the same days i weight train? i've just really got into training hard and was just wondering what would benifit me most.

 

[Large And In Charge]

No, that's not overtraining at all, you've found what works for you. I agree that allot of people are afraid of overtraining. But there are very distint signs that a person needs to look for if they suspect that they're overtraining like, lack of progess, not being able to sleep, lack of appetite, being moody, etc.

There is one member in particular that doesn't like to hear this but it's true, everybody is different to a certain extent. My workout may not work for you, but your workout may work for Prince but not for me. You can think of all kinds of combinations that will work for some but not necessarily for others. It's very laughable to me to read a post by somebody (I'm talking about on other boards) that say that this workout will definitely work for you. Well it may but it may not, how do they know. Just because it works for them doesn't mean that it will work for you and if they say it will, they''re just telling you a bold-face lie because they don't know.

I offer suggestions to people and even design entire pograms in some cases. But I always say up front that this may or may not work for them and if it doesn't work just let me know and I'll make some changes. Some people respond to 30 minutes a day 5 days a week and others respond the best to 2 hours a day 3 days a week. Who am I to say that somebody is training the wrong way when there are so many varibles to consider.

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If you build it they will come

 

[EarWax]

Same here Scotty. I can barely do any more of anything after one hour. I concentrate hard on good form and pyramiding weight up if things get too easy. My muscles hate me for slowing down on the motions and making controlled movements, but it has helped tremendously. Gains are great!

 

[mac sloan]

Overtraining is used too much.
I beleive most people overreach but rarely overtrain.

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train smart not hard

 

[Scotty the Body]

I don't beleive your overtraining, I know when I'm doing to much, I get worn down, maybe get a cold and the weight I can lift goes down.

Maybe its just me but after an hour or so of an intense workout, I'm done, any more would be pointless. I would say it you can go for 2 hours then your workouts just arn't intense enough.

I beleive in quality not quantity of a workout.

 

[Charger]

jake-04, I just re-read this old post and realized no one tried to answer your question. I would do cardio on my off days. Unless your are trying to add mass in which case I wouldn't do cardio at all.

 

[jake-04]

well, i kinda need to do both. i played softball for a community league and have just got the chance to play for a national team. but i need to train better ie, stronger, faster, leaner. i've been running on my off days and it seems to work pretty well. i'm still gaining strength while losing the fat and sluggishness. thanks for answering.