Training Like a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Thinkin it’s time for some Q&A.
Quite a few piling up recently.
Ryan B. was wondering,
“I was chatting with a friend of mine about keeping workouts under an hour and something came to mind that I was hoping you could help with.
Does the 60 minutes of the workout include the warm-up? Sometimes my workout takes about 65 minutes which includes my warm-up so I’m just curious as to whether or not I should cut it down by 5 minutes to keep under the 60 minutes if the 60 limit includes the warm-up.”
Good question, simple answer:
You shouldn’t count your warm-up or wind down when factoring in overall lift time.
Next up…
“First of I really appreciate your service and find all the information you provide way more helpful than any other online fitness threads or websites. I am just now getting back into lifting after about a month in a half break from the gym that started because of finals (FSU) and carried through a few vacations, etc. However, it feels better than ever to get back into it and my fitness enthusiasm is at an all time high!
I wanted to know your opinions on working out your trap muscles, and if it was better to work them out on a back day or shoulder day. “
Hmm. Well, I don’t have a shoulder or a back day.
That’s old school training that leaves you spinning your hamster wheels (and wastes time).
But to answer your question, I’d add it in on back day since they’ll be nice and warmed up after your done working out your back.
Finally,
“I need your help on something I workout every day of the week. At home and at the gym so much. That if I miss a day I don’t feel rite. The problem is staying motivated
Are there any tips or advice you can give me that would be awesome.
Because somedays I don’t feel like working out and I end up doing a 15 min workout or I just stop in the middle of a workout. But if you can help me thank you”
Of course your ol’ Spartan Doctore can help.
I know what you mean not feeling “right” when missing training.
When you start your workout journey you’re trying to get yourself to workout. Once you win that battle you start to feel bad if you don’t workout.
Problem is this causes lots of guys (including yourself here) to go the OPPOSITE end and DO TOO MUCH.
Yup.
You CAN train too much. DO too much.
See it all the time.
I’m not even talking about overtraining.
I’m talking about slapping your muscles with too much stress that they never recover.
So you’re pumping iron over and over.
But looking the same.
It’s like trying to get a sun tan… what happens if you start off sitting in the sun for 2 hours.
You become a lobster.
Ouch!
Now if you properly layer the stress, and train your muscles the way they’re NATURALLY designed to be trained.
Boom.
Strength shoots up, lean mass piles on, fat slides off and BEST OF ALL
your time investment goes DOWN.
That my friend, is how you train but still have a life.
For the “how tos” of forging new strength check out A Spartan Rises — where I show you how the simple way to train your muscles… and in a way that’s FUN. Ain’t nothing better. Unless you
(GASP!’) hate being a man of vigor & physical force. More info at:
Never Retreat & Never Surrender,
Ryan Masters
The Spartan Doctore
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist