Please explain 4 day splits to me

[FiddleFit]

Hi! Cathe's November rotation is a 4 day split routine. I have never done such a rotation before, and am wondering specifically how it is supposed to work. Why do all the weight training on 4 consecutive days? Why not disperse it more throughout the week? And this rotation does not have a large amount of cardio, so if someome (like me) is used to doing more cardio, won't the reduction in cardio-time actually cause me to gain weight, since I'm not burning off the calories I usually do?

I guess I just don't really understand this kind of a rotation, so am not convinced it will actually increase my fitness level in any way. I already do more cardio, and typically strength train my whole body 2 to 3 times a week, using both strength and endurance videos.

I welcome any thoughts and opinions.
Thanks!
Sandra

 

[trevor]

Sandra,
Go to this link and you'll see examples of various types of weightlifting splits.
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/WorkoutMenu.html

T.

 

[CurlyQ]

Cardio vs. weight workouts burn close to the same amount of calories. For me, one high impact cardio wo for 1hr burns 400 calories and vigorous weight training for 1hr burns 365 calories. It's definitely a personal preference so maybe try it for a week and see how you feel and add some cardio to the next week. If you often do your workouts that way though it may be wise to try a new routine. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by your results, plus it will be good training for the Hard Core Series

 

[starlight6]

Great site Trevor...thanks!

Ruth

 

[FiddleFit]

Thanks for the website, Trevor. But beyond showing examples of splits, it doesn't really explain them. Why do a two-day versus a four-day split, for example?

Ooooh, okay. I just went back to the website and explored the home page a bit. Turns out, they do explain things a bit. I'll have to spend more time reading through it all. Thanks very much!

Cheers,
Sandra

 

[dss62467]

I read in this month's Shape that they tested the number of calories burned in an hour of cardio against the number of calories burned in an hour of weight training (moderate to heavy) and the calories WHILE exercising were slightly higher during cardio, but the metabolic rate in the 24 hours after were the same for both types of exercise.

I don't believe you're going to gain weight doing less cardio in a week than normally. Besides, I don't know about the rest of you - but I feel a lot "tougher" when I do weights.