Longer Workouts, Fewer Days Per Week

[Gayle]

I've typically been a one hour per day, 5-6 days per week kind of exerciser, usually doing my cardio and strength on separate days.

This week I decided to try doing longer 2-hour sessions doing cardio and weight work, but only 4 days per week. My goal is to get in the amount of cardio and weight training that I really want, but still leave time in the week for more flexibility training, rest, and playtime.

Does anyone follow a similar routine? How do you feel it works for you?

 

[red_mct]

Hi, Gayle:

I used to follow a similar routine, and I had good results, but what I found was I was usually wiped out by the time I got to the second hour... which meant I had to be sure I put what I wanted to focus on FIRST (for me that is always strength training)... and then the cardio suffered some. Be sure you are eating enough beforehand and consider an electrolyte drink to get you through...

Good luck!
Marie

 

[Mic]

I had done this too for a long time and I also got good results. It definitely takes more stamina so do what you need to in order to get you through. I also did what was most important to me first and that was the weight training and then the cardio. I was more tired for the cardio than I would have been had I not done the weights but my body got a good workout overall.

 

[tvan_horn]

Gayle,

I usually do this about one day per week, because I don't work on Tuesdays.

Yesterday I did Imax2 (plus abs from C&W), then PUB (minus the abs), then LL. I had a small snack after the cardio. I made it through the workout just fine, although my legs were a little shaky. Total workout time is about 2 1/2 hours.

Later in the day, I had a major energy low. I did manage my 5 mile run this a.m., but I was a little slow.

Ideally, I would break this much of a workout into 2 sessions (morning and afternoon), but I couldn't yesterday.

It is doable, if you allow enough time to rest and recover.

Tina

 

[aseay]

i end up missing some days because of work or social activity. on days off i do 2 hour-cardio and then weights. either one after the other or cardio,dinner, and then weights. i do cardio first because its hard for me to jump around with tons of water in my tummy from doing weights first.
laura

 

[Gayle]

Thanks so much for your input everyone! I really appreciate it.

I did start using a sports drink to hydrate during the workouts instead of just water as I'd typically use, and so far it seems to help the stamina part of things.