I am confused. I have read that your workouts should only last an hour or so. I usually feel that I can go longer than that. I don’t for “fear” of taxing the CNS or being cripled the next day.
My workouts consist of 12-15 sets per muscle group at 6-8 reps per set. If i am doing 6X6 flat bench for example, the last couple of reps on the last set or two are almost to the point of failure to complete rep. I am working in the 6 set 6 rep range for most exercises at 6-7RM.
Schedule: Day1
Chest: flat,inclined bench, dips
Back: pull ups, rows, pulldowns
Bicepts tris
Day2
Legs: front squats, sissy squats, leg press
Shoulders: military, lateral, rev flies
Calves, Abs
I usually do flat bench/pull ups,then inclined/rows in a superset fashion. The same with front squat/military etc.
Can I increase my work load without it being counterproductive? Thanks for the help.
Can I increase my work load without it being counterproductive? [/quote]
This is one of those questions that can only be answered through trial and error. The problem is finding a way of measuring your progress.
Just because you feel like you COULD do more doesn’t mean you SHOULD. I used to do a lot more than I do now, but I wasn’t making progress worth a shit then. There is a difference between working a muscle sufficiently and working it to the point of exhaustion.
I keep a log of everything I do. I try to progress each workout, either in reps/sets or weight. So in that sense, I am progressing. I will monitor how I feel the next day and adjust accordingly. Thanks for the input.
Do what works for you. You might find that if you simply increase your intensity you could cut your volume and save time in the gym and get the same results.
Like everyone said, it’s highly individual. My workouts usually last an hour and a half or so. I’m no expert though, but I seem to be making consistent progress.
[quote]RWElder0 wrote:
You never know how much is too much till you find out for yourself. Try getting there and I bet you surprise yourself.
A vast majority of people who train haven’t the slightest notion of how far they can really go.[/quote]
Bingo!! Pretty much it. People fear overtraining a lot more than they should. Overtraining isn’t just having a bad workout, or even a bad week of workouts. You’re going to have bad days or a bad week or two, it’s just life.
If it’s a downward TREND that you see, then you re-evaluate–Overtraining is something that takes more than just a resting week/off week to cure. Besides, in 95% of all cases, “overtraining” is actually UNDER-eating. Or under-sleeping. Or both.
I don’t care about the 1 hour limit either. If you have more in you, or if you feel you haven’t done an effective job in that 1 hour, stay til the job’s done right. Doesn’t mean you should leave every workout feeling like you’re a zombie of course. Just tired and working hard.
[quote]Stength4life wrote:
StephenD wrote:
If you dont think you can stimulate muscle growth within an hour your doing somthing seriously wrong.
Is there really a need to do 12 to 15 sets per bodypart?
I’m pretty sure alot of people do 12-15 sets. I do. Sometimes more.[/quote]
Actually, I’ve found the 12-15 set range to be perfect for me. Any more than that, and I don’t feel like that body part is rested enough before it’s time to work it again. Any less, and I don’t feel like I worked it enough.