Are short periods of training as beneficial as long ones?

Hi,

By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to the gym
regularly. I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
2 days in a row), doing split workouts and small sets (5 - 8 reps), eating
big and supplementing protein. Is the rate of muscle gain as much at the
start of the peroid as after a few weeks, or is it inefficient to bodybuild
for, say two weeks, with a couple of weeks CV training before coming back to
bodybuilding because you'd be switching away from bodybuilding before the
main benefits occur?

In short, I'd like to start a routine of bodybuilding for a couple of weeks,
then doing some CV traning for a couple of weeks, but I'd like to know if
that's a daft idea.

Some background for those who are interested. I'm 41, male and a "hard
gainer". Since the start of July I've been bodybuilding most of the time,
but I've been going for a long endurance walk about once every 3 weeks. This
week I felt like running again so I've been for a couple of runs. I've
enjoyed it and want to do more CV work. But I'd also like to continue to
increase my muscle mass.

I'd appreciate any wisdom anyone can impart on me.

TIA,

Graham

Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
> Hi,
>
> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to the gym
> regularly.

No. Long periods of training work better.

> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
> 2 days in a row),

Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
typical geek.

I manage fine, thank you.

> doing split workouts and small sets (5 - 8 reps), eating
> big and supplementing protein. Is the rate of muscle gain as much at the
> start of the peroid as after a few weeks, or is it inefficient to bodybuild
> for, say two weeks, with a couple of weeks CV training before coming back to
> bodybuilding because you'd be switching away from bodybuilding before the
> main benefits occur?

Muscle gains start as soon as you start lifting, but any gains in
muscle mass at the beginning are dwarfed by strength increases. Your
body learns how to lift and this gains are quite rapid, but they don't
last forever (even for those who read "Power to the people"). Building
real muscles takes time, even for a beginner.

If you built some muscle mass during your bodybuilding phase and later
you lose it during cardio phase, you should be able to regain them
quicker than it took to produce them for a first time. There is
something people call muscle memory, which helps in regaining lost
muscles.

It works for athletes in the off-season, for example. They lose
muscles in-season but they are able to regain them quickly and even
build on top of that; so if you like this kind of see-sawing approach,
do it.

> In short, I'd like to start a routine of bodybuilding for a couple of weeks,
> then doing some CV traning for a couple of weeks, but I'd like to know if
> that's a daft idea.

If you like it this way, simply do it.

> Some background for those who are interested. I'm 41, male and a "hard
> gainer". Since the start of July I've been bodybuilding most of the time,
> but I've been going for a long endurance walk about once every 3 weeks. This
> week I felt like running again so I've been for a couple of runs. I've
> enjoyed it and want to do more CV work. But I'd also like to continue to
> increase my muscle mass.
>
> I'd appreciate any wisdom anyone can impart on me.

Nothing stupid in this approach.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Thanks for your reply.

From what you've said here, and from what I've read on another forum, I
think I'll make my periods something like 6 weeks, rather than just 2. I've
built enough muscle now not to consider myself lacking in muscle, so I don't
***need*** to optimise muscle growth. That said, I might as well do it right
if I'm going to do it at all.

Thanks again,

Graham


"Andrzej Rosa" <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eib4io$g17$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
>> Hi,
>>
>> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to the gym
>> regularly.
>
> No. Long periods of training work better.
>
>> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
>> 2 days in a row),
>
> Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
> skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
> typical geek.
>
> I manage fine, thank you.
>
>> doing split workouts and small sets (5 - 8 reps), eating
>> big and supplementing protein. Is the rate of muscle gain as much at the
>> start of the peroid as after a few weeks, or is it inefficient to
>> bodybuild
>> for, say two weeks, with a couple of weeks CV training before coming back
>> to
>> bodybuilding because you'd be switching away from bodybuilding before the
>> main benefits occur?
>
> Muscle gains start as soon as you start lifting, but any gains in
> muscle mass at the beginning are dwarfed by strength increases. Your
> body learns how to lift and this gains are quite rapid, but they don't
> last forever (even for those who read "Power to the people"). Building
> real muscles takes time, even for a beginner.
>
> If you built some muscle mass during your bodybuilding phase and later
> you lose it during cardio phase, you should be able to regain them
> quicker than it took to produce them for a first time. There is
> something people call muscle memory, which helps in regaining lost
> muscles.
>
> It works for athletes in the off-season, for example. They lose
> muscles in-season but they are able to regain them quickly and even
> build on top of that; so if you like this kind of see-sawing approach,
> do it.
>
>> In short, I'd like to start a routine of bodybuilding for a couple of
>> weeks,
>> then doing some CV traning for a couple of weeks, but I'd like to know if
>> that's a daft idea.
>
> If you like it this way, simply do it.
>
>> Some background for those who are interested. I'm 41, male and a "hard
>> gainer". Since the start of July I've been bodybuilding most of the time,
>> but I've been going for a long endurance walk about once every 3 weeks.
>> This
>> week I felt like running again so I've been for a couple of runs. I've
>> enjoyed it and want to do more CV work. But I'd also like to continue to
>> increase my muscle mass.
>>
>> I'd appreciate any wisdom anyone can impart on me.
>
> Nothing stupid in this approach.
>
> --
> Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
> Thanks for your reply.
>
> From what you've said here, and from what I've read on another forum, I
> think I'll make my periods something like 6 weeks, rather than just 2. I've
> built enough muscle now not to consider myself lacking in muscle, so I don't
> ***need*** to optimise muscle growth. That said, I might as well do it right
> if I'm going to do it at all.

Do as long periods or as short as you like. Doing one day cardio, next
day weights works very well for many people. Doing weights once a year
works for many athletes.

You are not limited in your choices just because someone has an
opinion about what should work best for you. Try it and see for
yourself. I'm not aware of any established knowledge which somehow
makes 6 weeks periods "right".

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Andrzej Rosa <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
>> Hi,
>>
>> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to the gym
>> regularly.
>
>No. Long periods of training work better.
>
>> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
>> 2 days in a row),
>
>Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
>skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
>typical geek.
>
>I manage fine, thank you.

I you are satified with "managing fine," I guess that's OK. If you
wanted to put on some muscle mass, you would train heavier, with
greater intensity, and give yourself longer recovery times. If you
are obsessed with lifting every day, then do split routines and lift
lightly on alternating days to speed recovery.

Your choice.

Clarence Bass cites cases of champeen lifters who train once a week *or
less*.
Proly one helluva day, tho.
Others train 6 days/week, like dogs.
Man, what a difference in lifestyle! Pity the 6 day/wk foo'.
--
Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY
Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the Single Best Way
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs
"Andrzej Rosa" <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eib4io$g17$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
> Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
>> Hi,
>>
>> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to the gym
>> regularly.
>
> No. Long periods of training work better.
>
>> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
>> 2 days in a row),
>
> Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
> skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
> typical geek.
>
> I manage fine, thank you.
>
>> doing split workouts and small sets (5 - 8 reps), eating
>> big and supplementing protein. Is the rate of muscle gain as much at the
>> start of the peroid as after a few weeks, or is it inefficient to
>> bodybuild
>> for, say two weeks, with a couple of weeks CV training before coming back
>> to
>> bodybuilding because you'd be switching away from bodybuilding before the
>> main benefits occur?
>
> Muscle gains start as soon as you start lifting, but any gains in
> muscle mass at the beginning are dwarfed by strength increases. Your
> body learns how to lift and this gains are quite rapid, but they don't
> last forever (even for those who read "Power to the people"). Building
> real muscles takes time, even for a beginner.
>
> If you built some muscle mass during your bodybuilding phase and later
> you lose it during cardio phase, you should be able to regain them
> quicker than it took to produce them for a first time. There is
> something people call muscle memory, which helps in regaining lost
> muscles.
>
> It works for athletes in the off-season, for example. They lose
> muscles in-season but they are able to regain them quickly and even
> build on top of that; so if you like this kind of see-sawing approach,
> do it.
>
>> In short, I'd like to start a routine of bodybuilding for a couple of
>> weeks,
>> then doing some CV traning for a couple of weeks, but I'd like to know if
>> that's a daft idea.
>
> If you like it this way, simply do it.
>
>> Some background for those who are interested. I'm 41, male and a "hard
>> gainer". Since the start of July I've been bodybuilding most of the time,
>> but I've been going for a long endurance walk about once every 3 weeks.
>> This
>> week I felt like running again so I've been for a couple of runs. I've
>> enjoyed it and want to do more CV work. But I'd also like to continue to
>> increase my muscle mass.
>>
>> I'd appreciate any wisdom anyone can impart on me.
>
> Nothing stupid in this approach.
>
> --
> Andrzej Rosa 1127R

Proctologically ViolatedCR wrote:
> Clarence Bass cites cases of champeen lifters who train once a week
> *or less*.
> Proly one helluva day, tho.
> Others train 6 days/week, like dogs.
> Man, what a difference in lifestyle! Pity the 6 day/wk foo'.

Wouldn't it have been just as easy to type the letter L? Shall wi aal stort
posting in wor aan accents? Well that's maybe what Iwould sound like if I
had got a Geordie accent.


>> Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to
>>> the gym regularly.
>>
>> No. Long periods of training work better.
>>
>>> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
>>> 2 days in a row),
>>
>> Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
>> skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
>> typical geek.
>>
>> I manage fine, thank you.
>>
>>> doing split workouts and small sets (5 - 8 reps), eating
>>> big and supplementing protein. Is the rate of muscle gain as much
>>> at the start of the peroid as after a few weeks, or is it
>>> inefficient to bodybuild
>>> for, say two weeks, with a couple of weeks CV training before
>>> coming back to
>>> bodybuilding because you'd be switching away from bodybuilding
>>> before the main benefits occur?
>>
>> Muscle gains start as soon as you start lifting, but any gains in
>> muscle mass at the beginning are dwarfed by strength increases. Your
>> body learns how to lift and this gains are quite rapid, but they
>> don't last forever (even for those who read "Power to the people").
>> Building real muscles takes time, even for a beginner.
>>
>> If you built some muscle mass during your bodybuilding phase and
>> later you lose it during cardio phase, you should be able to regain
>> them quicker than it took to produce them for a first time. There is
>> something people call muscle memory, which helps in regaining lost
>> muscles.
>>
>> It works for athletes in the off-season, for example. They lose
>> muscles in-season but they are able to regain them quickly and even
>> build on top of that; so if you like this kind of see-sawing
>> approach, do it.
>>
>>> In short, I'd like to start a routine of bodybuilding for a couple
>>> of weeks,
>>> then doing some CV traning for a couple of weeks, but I'd like to
>>> know if that's a daft idea.
>>
>> If you like it this way, simply do it.
>>
>>> Some background for those who are interested. I'm 41, male and a
>>> "hard gainer". Since the start of July I've been bodybuilding most
>>> of the time, but I've been going for a long endurance walk about
>>> once every 3 weeks. This
>>> week I felt like running again so I've been for a couple of runs.
>>> I've enjoyed it and want to do more CV work. But I'd also like to
>>> continue to increase my muscle mass.
>>>
>>> I'd appreciate any wisdom anyone can impart on me.
>>
>> Nothing stupid in this approach.
>>
>> --
>> Andrzej Rosa 1127R



--
Bully
Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Dnia 2006-11-02 JMW napisa³(a):
> Andrzej Rosa <bakters@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to the gym
>>> regularly.
>>
>>No. Long periods of training work better.
>>
>>> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
>>> 2 days in a row),
>>
>>Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
>>skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
>>typical geek.
>>
>>I manage fine, thank you.
>
> I you are satified with "managing fine," I guess that's OK.

I don't overtrain. Once in a while I overeach. Taking a day off fixes
the problem.

> If you
> wanted to put on some muscle mass, you would train heavier, with
> greater intensity, and give yourself longer recovery times.

Both Mariusz Pudzianowski and Zydrunas Savickas train daily. Actually
twice a day for three hours total. Do you think they lack in muscle mass?

> If you
> are obsessed with lifting every day, then do split routines and lift
> lightly on alternating days to speed recovery.

I have a three day split. Sometimes I train lightly, sure. No one is
able to go all out for 7 days a week. Sometimes I use forced reps and
isometric holds. It depends.

> Your choice.

Fact.

--
Andrzej Rosa 1127R

My fonetic tribute to Mr. T.
Didn't want anyone to think it was just a typo.
Rhymes w/ "poo' ".
But not w/ "pooh".
Good show, btw. A deceptively bright astute guy. Iny comments from David??

Southern is very hard to do, fonetically and accurately. Too many
fukndipthongs--winds up wastin soooo much ink, w/ one sillyble words
becoming 3,4,5, even 6 sillybles.
Glissando, for the musicians out there.
Which might explain the Southern Laconic: With DAT many dipthongs,
sheeeiit, iffin you talked *too* much, you'd just get tired, AND, it would
take *forever*!!

Northern inner-city dialects are much easier, because they omit unnecessary
letters, whole sillybles, even whole words, in the syntax. To wit:
What is up with you? --> What's up whichyoo? ---> Whazzup? ---->
'sup?
Oh, the economy of it all!!
A joy, ackshooly.
Werd.
------
Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY
Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
to Materially Improve Your Family's Life.
entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs
"Bully" <bully1@proteinbars.co.ok> wrote in message
news:4qtn21Fosrh3U1@individual.net...
> Proctologically ViolatedCR wrote:
>> Clarence Bass cites cases of champeen lifters who train once a week
>> *or less*.
>> Proly one helluva day, tho.
>> Others train 6 days/week, like dogs.
>> Man, what a difference in lifestyle! Pity the 6 day/wk foo'.
>
> Wouldn't it have been just as easy to type the letter L? Shall wi aal
> stort posting in wor aan accents? Well that's maybe what Iwould sound like
> if I had got a Geordie accent.
>
>
>>> Dnia 2006-11-01 AdjustMe napisa³(a):
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> By "period of training" I mean the number of weeks spent going to
>>>> the gym regularly.
>>>
>>> No. Long periods of training work better.
>>>
>>>> I'm talking about bodybuilding - exercising 3 times a week (never
>>>> 2 days in a row),
>>>
>>> Why not? I train 6/7 days a week and genetically I'm your proverbial
>>> skinny-fat hardgainer. Fattest and weakest boy in the classroom,
>>> typical geek.
>>>
>>> I manage fine, thank you.
>>>
>>>> doing split workouts and small sets (5 - 8 reps), eating
>>>> big and supplementing protein. Is the rate of muscle gain as much
>>>> at the start of the peroid as after a few weeks, or is it
>>>> inefficient to bodybuild
>>>> for, say two weeks, with a couple of weeks CV training before
>>>> coming back to
>>>> bodybuilding because you'd be switching away from bodybuilding
>>>> before the main benefits occur?
>>>
>>> Muscle gains start as soon as you start lifting, but any gains in
>>> muscle mass at the beginning are dwarfed by strength increases. Your
>>> body learns how to lift and this gains are quite rapid, but they
>>> don't last forever (even for those who read "Power to the people").
>>> Building real muscles takes time, even for a beginner.
>>>
>>> If you built some muscle mass during your bodybuilding phase and
>>> later you lose it during cardio phase, you should be able to regain
>>> them quicker than it took to produce them for a first time. There is
>>> something people call muscle memory, which helps in regaining lost
>>> muscles.
>>>
>>> It works for athletes in the off-season, for example. They lose
>>> muscles in-season but they are able to regain them quickly and even
>>> build on top of that; so if you like this kind of see-sawing
>>> approach, do it.
>>>
>>>> In short, I'd like to start a routine of bodybuilding for a couple
>>>> of weeks,
>>>> then doing some CV traning for a couple of weeks, but I'd like to
>>>> know if that's a daft idea.
>>>
>>> If you like it this way, simply do it.
>>>
>>>> Some background for those who are interested. I'm 41, male and a
>>>> "hard gainer". Since the start of July I've been bodybuilding most
>>>> of the time, but I've been going for a long endurance walk about
>>>> once every 3 weeks. This
>>>> week I felt like running again so I've been for a couple of runs.
>>>> I've enjoyed it and want to do more CV work. But I'd also like to
>>>> continue to increase my muscle mass.
>>>>
>>>> I'd appreciate any wisdom anyone can impart on me.
>>>
>>> Nothing stupid in this approach.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Andrzej Rosa 1127R
>
>
>
> --
> Bully
> Protein bars: http://www.proteinbars.co.uk
>
> "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't
> matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss
>