Workout Routines - Effective Use of Time

Workout Routines - Effective Use of Time

Workout routines are important for beginners, especially youth athletes. By setting up a well-rounded routine, you will be able to effectively use your time and get solid gains from your routine. What should you be attempting to do in setting up your routines?

Workout Routines - Effective Use of Time

Workout vs Rest Days

You can't ignore the rest of your life so schedule workout days with rest days in between accordingly. Not only will it help you to organize your other activities around your workouts (or vice-versa). As a beginner, you need to be aware that you are NOT going to be able to go to the gym everyday. Your muscles will fatigue quickly when they are not used to lifting heavier weights. Your rest days are needed for your muscles to recover and rebuild. Muscle growth does not happen during your workout routines, it occurs during your rest days.

Effective Workout Routines

The most effective way to organize your workout routines is to concentrate on one or two body parts per workout only, usually opposing body groups like chest and back. Depending on the body parts being worked on a given day, do cardio as well. Doing a heavy legs day and then doing cardio involving your legs (running, biking) may be overkill on your muscles. Listen to your body...

Choosing Workout Routines

You will notice that I have said "Routines" with an "s" at the end. Doing the same routine over and over again will result in your body getting used to the process quite quickly and you will not see the gains that you expect to see. Change your routine regularly to "shock" your muscles into new growth. I have used a Poloquin routine (several sets of low reps in a wave) for 3 weeks then switched to a more traditional routine with 3 sets of 8 - 10 reps. What works for one person will not necessarily work for someone else. Do your research and learn from those with experience. Try different workout routines from different sources and see what works best for you.