Question on Hardcore GS-1 bodypart per day enough?

[Lynn M.]

Hi Cathe:

I am slowly working my way through your most excellent Hardcore Series!! You really have outdone yourself!

I really like to weight train one bodypart/day /week and then add some cardio after each strength workout. If I were to breakdown the Gym Series workout to do one bodypart per day, would that be adequate or should I try to add something else during the week, like an all body endurance workout?

Thank you in advance!

Take care, Lynn M.

 

[Cheryl Shakespeare]

Hi Lynn, I wondered about this myself. I have been doing one bodypart per day because I train for marathons and triathlons so don't often have time to do an entire strength workout on top of my other training. Initially I'm trying out the GS workouts in their entire format but after a couple weeks I'm going to try breaking them up. Let me know if you try it and how it goes!

Cheryl

 

[Lynn M.]

Hi Cheryl--

I had a lot of success using the S & H series this way, and since then if my schedule allows, its handsdown the best way for me to gain muscle!!

I am in the process of training for my first half marathon, so I know what you mean about breaking it up for running time.

I'll be curious to see Cathe says..

Take care, Lynn M.

 

[luckyruns]

Hi Lynn,

Good question. I know everyone is different and I think each day is different for all of us. I know some days I can run or use the trainer for 45mins prior to a Cathe workout. And some days my legs are telling me different. PLus with me-- please note with ME I find its good to keep my body guessing. Im a big fan of running but I also know my body craves and needs a good weight session daily. I usually work : triceps/biceps or do chest/back or I dont do a cardio in the morning and do pyramid lower body or boot camp and then throw in an afternoon 60min run. It all depends on what my body tells me and of course what REALITY throws at me You know--- kids and a husband, mother-in-law & parents and--well I could go on and on ;-)

 

[Lynn M.]

Hi Kath-

Thanks for the reply!! I totally agree with the " keep your body guessing" strategy esp. when it comes to cardio!! I get a little bit more regimented when it comes to my weight workouts, to ensure I hit everything at least 1x/week (depending on the focus on my strength rotation)
And of course, Life does get in the way of working out sometimes doesn't it? Kids, husbands, MIL's they do have a tendency to be a bit distracting at times!!

Take care, Lynn M.

 

[activegirl]

I would really love to hear Cathe's reply to this question as well. I have also been considering one body part a day with this series.

 

[Cheryl Shakespeare]

I know what you gals mean about shaking things up....I've been alternating a cardio and weight workouts from the new series every other day this week and it's a good shake up for my body right now. I think I'll try to stick with this for 4-6 weeks. When I get closer to the start of triathlon season I'll have to shift back to 1 bodypart per day. It's so hard to fit it all in!!

Cheryl

 

[Kepi]

I'm not Cathe, but I think you can easily turn the GS workouts into a one bodypart per day routine. Just make sure that your poundage for each set is the heaviest you can go, and then pause the workout and rest for at least a minute. The rep speed in this workout makes going really heavy doable. I personally like stretching between sets. I call it, active rest.

For back, you might even want to add in one or two sets of pull-ups, or maybe even t-bar rows. This would round out the back workout very nicely.

 

[Lynn M.]

Thanks for the input Kepi!! I like your suggestion to incorporate longer rests so that I can lift even heavier!!

I am a P90X alum, so pullups would be a good way to round out the back work. ( Those would definitely put that "fry" factor into the back workout!)
Take care, Lynn M.