Overtraining or Hardcore

[JasonAP]

How long do you spend actually lifting weight? I am typically in the gym for 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs (not including cardio and stretching) and will typically train 4-6 muscle groups w/ very little time, if any, between sets. For example, I may do a set of bi's and jump immediately to abs. I would say I spend about 85-90% of the time in the gym actually moving weight and doing sets. Just wondering if anyone has thought about the actual amount of time they are actually pumping iron compared to the time you are in the gym.

 

[Bailey5011]

I'd say personally that's too long, 45 minutes is an optimal time for training hard. Going to failure on each set with a 30 seconds to a minute between each set. 5 minute break when swapping muscle groups. I'd only do 2 muscle groups at most on a single day. I used to spend about 2 to 3 hours in the gym also but as time went on and I learned more I could get my workouts in a much shorter time and feel like I accomplished more at the same time.

 

[Diced]

without doubt to long my friend, u should b in and out of the gym fast . get in thier break down the muscle get the fuck out,2 days on 1 off works well for most.

Diced

 

[Smitherine]

I agree with the rest of these guys. Too Long. It seems like your resting too long in between sets so you can move the big weights. I think you can find a solid balance at around 1 hr.

 

[juicer83199]

"overtraining" has only benefited me as long as I hit it intense with little time in between sets but that's just me

 

[Czyyc]

without doubt to long my friend, u should b in and out of the gym fast . get in thier break down the muscle get the fuck out,2 days on 1 off works well for most.

Diced

I agree with this. I spend at most 2 hours at the gym, including warmup/cardio. Also try to go at most 2 days in a row, sometimes 3 when I find myself with extra time/energy.

 

[MeatHead96]

Overtraining, def not hardcore. I would love to train for 2-3hrs some days but never go over 24 sets in one workout. Its just counterproductive imo.

 

[BeastinTheEast]

Okay guys i'm gonna clear something up because being a 3 days a week training guy for a while and switching to high frequency taught me these IMPORTANT things. A recent 5x5 split had me making dramatic gains in strength so i tried to put together my own high frequency style bodybuilding split.

IT IS POSSIBLE, most people make this huge mistake of doing like 15-20 set workouts and going to failure on all sets and killing themselves. BUT the catch is that you cut that in half and do 2x a week training. 10-12 sets max, only 1 set to absolute failure per exercise, if you feel like shit the next session then DO NOT GO TO FAILURE. You are able to adjust your training to how your performance is going. I train 1-1.5 hours a day 6 days per week right now going on my 3rd week while dieting making very considerable progress. Diet wise you are going to have to increase your food intake because you will be doing more than before. There are olympic lifters who train 5-6 even 7 days a week not to failure and no eccentric's, some of the guys train 2x per DAY at a few hours at a time.

Anything is possible, the biggest reason guys like the 3-5 day split is because it's convenient for time. You can make gains though it just takes some tweaking meaning more sets intensity to ILLICIT a response that will NEED 5-7 days rest. Plus if your on any AAS/PH's it's an entire different ball game, if you take something that helps recovery then why the hell would you train so infrequently if your ready in 2-3 days vs 5-7?????

Sorry for the little rant but i'm a believer now!

 

[BeastinTheEast]

Also i am a big believer in periodization, if you stop making gains even due to food intake being raised and lowering volume. It may be time to go to a 3 day split for a month or so! Benefits to everything

 

[palmers]

before you say overtraining, u should see if ur under eating or under sleeping... arnold trained everyday 6+ hours a day but he slept 10-12 hours then had frequent naps and he didnt even need to metion he had a flawless diet cause it obviously shows he did... When i was 140 i trained over two hours a day 6 days a week but i was eating 4500 cals a day wayyyy more then any person 140 should prob eat, i was also sleeping 10-12 hours a day... never felt tired, never got injuries, never stopped going... after two hours of workin out i would leave they gym full of energy still wanting to do another two hours


but dont do 4-6 muscle groups in a day


btw- kudos for stretching, im terrible for that