Is it bad to lift every day?

I have read a boat load of posts on this site, and I have tried to pick up the opinions on this from those other posts, (as well as other fitness sites) but I just am not sure on this, so I am asking...

It is my understanding that every other day workouts with weights is the norm. I also understand that folks working toward competition (the big dogs) will work out every day - at least for a certain amount of time - and work different areas of their body on different days.

I am wondering, if working with weights every day of the week is actually a bad idea, or if it is a bad idea to do it for longer than X amount of weeks,  IF you work one area one day, and another area the next day. 

I'm going to give you a very general , basic answer bc it seems clear you are not a in a bodybuilder competition...[from your post]. Do NOT work out everyday. Muscles do not benefit from that. They GROW on your days OFF.  Despite the pump you may feel and even see after working out..that is temporary. Your muscles need at least 24 hrs in bt wrkouts to repair and begin the growth.

You CAN work out diff muscles on two consecutive days...if you want. OR..you can develop a very efficient full body workout/3 days a week. Which is all you really need...

Thank you for your answer.

You sure are right on me NOT being a body builder! I wish!! No, I don't want to work out the same muscle groups day after day. My problem is, being in child care and having 2 shifts of kids, I sometimes only have only 1 hour in between the 2 groups of kids, and some days, not even that much time. I have -1 hour to fix dinner for my family and get a little work out in, and that leaves for a pretty pathetic "workout" some days. I try to scrunch upper and lower body work into that small amount of time, and I am not yet of a size, or in good enough shape to take on some of the HIIT training that folks are talking about.  If I can work one area one day, and another on the next day, I can certainly get in some better workouts.... if there is no reason to avoid doing that.

In all honesty, as long as you are doing some form of resistance training (free weight compound exercises are best) and cardio 3x a week and watching what you eat, you are doing fine. The main thing to stress is eating healthy. If you watch what you eat, you don't need to exercise everyday. Allow yourself one day a week where you have a few cheat meals, and follow a strict eating plan the other six days.

I would agree that working out every other day is really the best. As fitnessgirl said, full body workouts utilizing compound movements get you the best results. I like to do a full-body workout using three exercises per workout (lower body, push, and a pull) so it would be something like squat 3x5, bench press 3x5, and barbel row 3x5. I also like to add in some body-weight exercises like pull-ups and dips as well. After my workout, which is usually done in 40-45 minutes, I bust out with an intense HIIT workout that takes no longer than 15-20 minutes.

I highly recommend HIIT BTW. It targets fat much better because your body never adapts during the workout and it helps to speed up your metabolism for up to 24 hours after you finish because your body has to work harder to recover. Some people say not to do HIIT after lifting. The theory is that if you are pushing yourself hard during lifting, you won't have enough energy to truly push yourself during HIIT. However, I look it as a way of really challenging myself. Even though I am a bit tired from lifting, I force myself to dig down deep and really bust my ass during HIIT. Since my body is already in a fat burning state after lifting, HIIT really helps to accelerate it.

Original Post by vyperman7:

Some people say not to do HIIT after lifting. The theory is that if you are pushing yourself hard during lifting, you won't have enough energy to truly push yourself during HIIT. However, I look it as a way of really challenging myself. Even though I am a bit tired from lifting, I force myself to dig down deep and really bust my ass during HIIT.

 That, sir, is what I like to hear.

Original Post by connie412:
sometimes only have only 1 hour in between the 2 groups of kids, and some days, not even that much time. I have -1 hour to fix dinner for my family and get a little work out in, and that leaves for a pretty pathetic "workout" some days.

Hi Connie,

I think this would be a great article, if you have some time, to read. I found it inspiring

http://exercise.about.com/b/2009/08/06/how-to -think-like-an-exerciser.htm

In particular it says that there's no such thing as a 'pathetic' workout. A workout is a workout and it all adds up. Kudos to you for fitting it into a busy schedule.

Regarding HIIT: HIIT is just about alternating a crazy bust out phase with a recovery phase. That means that even if you do a gentle walk/brisk walk combination, you are tapping into the benefits of HIIT. One simple guideline is that as you come off the high intensity phase, breathing should be a tad tough,(panting), then recover at a comfortable pace and then go for it again. I do encourage you to consider trying this because I find HIITs to  be a real time saver.

Original Post by connie412:

 

I have read a boat load of posts on this site, and I have tried to pick up the opinions on this from those other posts, (as well as other fitness sites) but I just am not sure on this, so I am asking...

It is my understanding that every other day workouts with weights is the norm. I also understand that folks working toward competition (the big dogs) will work out every day - at least for a certain amount of time - and work different areas of their body on different days.

I am wondering, if working with weights every day of the week is actually a bad idea, or if it is a bad idea to do it for longer than X amount of weeks,  IF you work one area one day, and another area the next day. 

 

 An important part of lifting is recovery time. Muscles grow during recovery time, not while lifting. Some people break it up and do uppper body one day, lower the next. I prefer total body workouts 3 days a week. For the average person, not training for a competition that is plenty. Mix it up every 6 weeks or so. Don't work the same muscle groups all the time. Lift hard and heavy and allow for recovery. Read more here http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/training/ weightlifting.htm

Thank you all for your input, and the links. I have been reading the articles (to the kids, no less!) Very interesting reading. Thank you, again!!

This thread made me realize that the workout I do with my friend a few days a week (she's in awesome shape) is HIIT.

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!! (I'm sore for two days afterwards b/c I'm so not in shape, but I am getting better at it!!)