What to do day before Pyramid Legs

[JUJYGRL]

Hi Everyone,

This morning as I was doing my Pyramid Leg workout I couldn't help but think that I was short changing my upper body a day of rest. The day before I did Gym Style Chest. So technically upper one day, lower the next but their is definately a overlap. On the heaviest set in the lower body pyramid, I'm using 40lbs. I also do Gym Style Back, Biceps. My question is what GS upper would be best the day before legs. I just want to make sure I am giving my arms enough time to build muscle and recover so I can give my best effort. Cathy mentions wobble legs, but it is my arms that are so tired from the day before and it's tough to support that weight. Any advice would be great.

~Chrissy in Boston~

 

[clareMc]

Actually it sounds like you should do a day's cardio only the day before heavy lifting for the lower body. I really can't see any upper body w/o being better than any other for you if GS Chest/Tris causes this discomfort.

I also do not think this will alwways be the case. It sounds like you are experiencing DOMS, but as you get more used to doing the GS w/os, this degree of DOMS will lessen and you should be able to follow an upper body day with lower body day with no problem.

I have never had this happen to me. But then I'm also a great believer in working the kinks out rather than hoping that extended rest will be the ticket. I'd probably be tempted to do kickboxing with punching drills to get rid of the DOMS and work that soreness out. Particularly with lower body I have found this to be the case. I could spend up to 4 days of rest only waiting for the muscle soreness to ease, but I find it eases more quickly if I follow the lower body training with a steady state cardio such as Rythmic Step.

Clare

 

[JUJYGRL]

Clare

I am new to the Gym Styles so I hope you are right. I will take your advice and maybe do Boot Camp or go running the day before. I just started the GS's, tougher than the pyramids but I will keep trying.

Chrissy

 

[clareMc]

Chrissy:

the run sounds good. Beware of doing GS upper body, followed by Bootcamp, followed by GS lower body. This is because the Bootcamp also contains weight work and after doing the GS upper, you need to give your muscles worked a day's rest. Also, if you are new to the GS w/os, you may find that the weighted leg work in Bootcamp leaves you weak on the following day when you want to concentrate on legs with GS legs.

It sounds like you really need toseparate out your weight training days with cardio days to really let those muscles rest.

Clare

 

[JUJYGRL]

Clare,

I can see your point. Running is harder for me to get in with work and two boys but that would give my muscles the rest they need. I took the winter off from running and just started doing 4.5 mile runs two weeks ago. I am already seeing a difference in muscle def. The combo of Pyramids, Gym Styles, Bootcamp and Running seems to be a good formula for me. I do like your suggestion for spacing them out. I don't want to get burnout.

Thanks Again,
Chrissy