Hey healthy people: OK to work out every day?

[Robb]

So I'm lifting weights and swimming every day, largely because I have no life at the moment. :eyes:

Is there any reason this isn't OK? I seem to distantly remember something about working out every other day, but I don't recall whether it was a matter of it being better for you or whether there is some assumption that one might have something else to do. :shrug:

[Maine-i-acs]

1. Change muscle groups

If your weight routine is pretty strenuous, the muscles need the extra day to rebuild - because the workout actually tears them up a little bit. So do upper body one day, lower the next.

Swimming you can do all day long.

[hippiechick]

2. Good for you !

:hi:

Not only will you be less stressed, and lookin' HOT, you'll be in places to meet new people and maybe get back in the social swing ...

Excercise is addictive because of the endorphin rush but unless you let it rule your life or 'train thru some injuries' (when you should be taking a break), you should be fine ...


:hippie:

[Donkeyboy75]

3. I think so, as long as you listen to your body.

It can backfire, though. Make sure you'll be able to keep it up. I used to run six days a week (and play basketball a few times), but I got way too busy, and couldn't keep it up. I didn't sleep well for weeks afterwards on days I didn't run, as my body had too much energy.

You don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but does this have anything to do with being recently rejoining the ranks of the single men?

[Robb]

6. Quite a bit so

Turns out when I'm just looking out for myself and the doggies, I've got an awful lot of free time. No dry cleaning, a quarter of the laundry, errands and housework on my schedule. It's a little unnerving, actually. I'm going back to work at the restaurant in a few weeks so I have more opportunity to use my voice now and again. :D

[ohiosmith]

You may consider every other day weight training or alternate

the muscle groups you work daily. I found I needed at least a day for my body to recover after weight training.

[femmecahors]

4. I have a 75 year old friend . . .

he jogs for two HOURS every single day and he looks great and is incredibly healthy . . . so don't be afraid.

[Robb]

9. THAT's inspiring!

:thumbsup:

[BiggJawn]

5. Listen to your Bod.

It'll tell you if you're over-doing it.

[On the Road]

7. Running and other Cardio is OK for Every Day

but I have been told weightlifting should not be daily. You're muscles need time to recover.

If you're at a club or a facility of some kind, ask if there's a person you can talk to about a weekly regimen. You can also get help selecting a good mix of exercises and the number of repetitions and sets to start with.

When I did this, I was advised to start with a single set for each exercise, using as much weight as I do ten repetitions with. Then go up to a higher weight when ten reps becomes easy. After a month or two, I was told it was OK to move to three sets with 60 seconds in between.

Just my experience. I think weights are great, and I would love to get back to them. Free weights are a little better than machines (if both are available). There are a lot of nuances, though, including the correct form, so working with someone in person is best.

[Laszlo_Hollyfeld]

8. Depends on what you want to accomplish.

Every other day is better for building muscle mass; every day is better for redistributing large or bulky muscle tissue. So, if you've been a body-builder and you want to trim your physique to a more buff kind of average without muscle atrophy and resulting flab, lift with the same muscle groups every day. If on the other hand, you've been fairly out of shape and you're just trying to build some muscle in a healthy way, lift every day but alternate the muscle groups. Say, upper body on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays - lower body on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Good stretching technique will help you get the best results of your lifting and better still, help to prevent potential injury.

[oblivious]

10. Unless you're into serious body-building, I don't think it matters

The advice about allowing the muscles time to recuperate applies to body builders who push the limits. I don't think it applies to most of us. But the advice about working different muscle groups each day is really important if you want an attractive, balanced shape.

Personally I can't stand professionals who say go slow, take it easy, blah blah. You see posters like that in California Fitness. I say push yourself hard if you want to see results. More weight and more reps each day, each week, each month. You'll look better and feel better.

[Robb]

11. It's been going well

on that theory so far, love what just the past two weeks has done. Just didn't want to be damaging myself, and the consensus seems to be I'm not. Thanks! :)

[Taverner]

12. Well it is good to take one day off

To let your muscles repair and all...unless you can 100% ensure you're getting at least 4 hours of deep sleep a night (by that I mean the deep REM stuff, it usually takes 9-10 hours of sleep to hit that point.)

Oh and eat alot too!

[2cents]

13. Real men...

...lift weights while swimming.(just kidding)

If it feels good, do it. I wish I had the time and access.