What do you guys thing of this routine..please??

[alexsmom]

First off...let me say I am not doing this and this may sound totally absurd, but I was just thinking...whay do you think of a workout routine where 1 week you only did weights, then the next week only concentrate on cardio, next week weights, next cardio, etc....
I've been kinda bored with my routine lately and was trying to figure out something to help with my very hectic schedule. I have such a limited time now at the gym because my hubby started a new job and now I'm the one taking and picking up my son from the babysitters plus working full time in L.A. I'm on the freeways about 3 hours a day. Really, though...has anybody ever tried this? Or would waiting a week between weigh training just be too long?
Thanks!

 

[SteelWeaver]

I'd probably say it's too long, unless you're doing the Mentzer/ Yates/ Arthur Jones thing and just about killing yourself in every workout. Why not try doing supersets/tri-sets/giant sets, antagonistic sets? That way you can still fit in a full-size workout and the limited rest between sets will ensure your heart-rate stays up, thus negating the need for cardio.

Or if you really want to do cardio, do High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for 20 minutes instead of the traditional slow type.

 

[nikkita]

.... it depends on what your objectives are

 

[alexsmom]

Nikkita...I guess my objectives right now are just to mantain...at least until my husband's schedule changes or I can find a job closer to home.

Stealweaver...I know what supersets are...but could you explain the others you mentioned..if you don't mind? Also, maybe an example?

Thanks!

 

[Arioch]

I'd probably say it's too long, unless you're doing the Mentzer/ Yates/ Arthur Jones thing and just about killing yourself in every workout

Even then. Some muscles start to lose strength within 48 hours depending on the skill of the athlete and training effect.

If you wanted, you could post what you are doing right now, and let everybody take a shot at it. Then you can pick and choose from the options presented to you, and design something that keeps your interest.

 

[alexsmom]

Even then. Some muscles start to lose strength within 48 hours depending on the skill of the athlete and training effect.

If you wanted, you could post what you are doing right now, and let everybody take a shot at it. Then you can pick and choose from the options presented to you, and design something that keeps your interest.

Right now I feel like I'm just fitting in whatever I can. My routine varies a lot but here's a pretty usual week:

Monday - Back/Bis and try to fit in 20 minutes of HIIT.
Tues - 45 min. of moderate cardio
Wed - Legs
Thurs - Tris/Chest/Shoulders and 20 minutes HIIT.
Fri - 30-45 minutes cardio
Sat- 45-50 min. very moderate cardio.

My problem is that most of this is done during my lunch period...so let's say something comes up and I can't go...then that blows that day and my entire schedule and I don't know how to fit all the bodyparts in (hope that makes sense). I used to love working out in the morning but my husband now leaves around 5am for work...so I can't go to the gym then. I can't go after work because I have to again pick up my son from the sitters...get him home, fed, bath, etc...(he's 18 mos. old) THis is why I started thinking of the 1 week cardio/1 week weights thing. THis way I thought even if I only had 3 days....I could get all body parts worked 1 week...and plenty of cardio the next. Does this make sense? I'm not that great explaining things in writing.

 

[Arioch]

Does this make sense

Yes, but I definitely would not do it.

You train on a pretty standard split. Can you workout on the weekend?

And how often do you rotate exercises.

 

[alexsmom]

You train on a pretty standard split. Can you workout on the weekend?

And how often do you rotate exercises.

Yes, I guess Saturdays. I usually like to reserve Saturdays for just cardio but maybe I should start weight training that day instead. I like to use Sunday as my total veg day. I'm running around so much all week I think I need that day off. Plus...we kind of keep that as family day.
As far as rotating...do you mean types of exercised per muscle? or do you mean split? I haven't changed my split for a while but today, for example, I did bis and tris + 20 min. HIIT on the treadmill.
I guess my problem is...let's say I only have 3 days a week to workout one week, I feel like those 3 should be used for weight training....but then what happens to my cardio? I don't need a lot...but I really like doing it. I just feel better mentally and physically when I do.

 

[Arioch]

By changing, I pretty much mean exercises, but this can also include set/rep schemes, tempo, etc.

Cardio could possibly be done am or pm?

 

[alexsmom]

By changing, I pretty much mean exercises, but this can also include set/rep schemes, tempo, etc.

Cardio could possibly be done am or pm?

Then, Yes, I'm always changing exercises. As far as am or pm....the only way I could do morning cardio now is if I get up at 4:00 am before my husband leaves and do something outside which I'm not too crazy about. It's still so dark and we don't live in the best part of town. Or I could wait untill he gets home and hit the gym, but this is sometimes not till 9:00pm...by then I'm in bed!! I've never worked out well at night...I'm so tired by then.

ahhhhh...maybe I'm just stuck for now. I've always been the kind of person to not make excuses for making time to workout....it's like brushing my teeth...but this is really killing me when I actually CAN'T on some days.