How Often Should I Train?
Everyday! No excuses!
Just kidding. I really don’t feel that way, but I do feel strongly about daily movement. Mobility and daily movement are essential to our well-being and longevity, along with many other health markers. I try to move as often as possible, and break a sweat each day. It's not always through an intense workout-- I believe there is nothing better for your brain and body than a walk.
At Humble Hustle, we help folks to develop these practices and habits. But it takes time to do it right.
When it comes to strength/resistance training, I often see two types of people. These are two general scenarios, but as you read on, you'll probably gravitate towards one of the camps more than the other.
Type One:
People brand new to training, or feel like they're back at ground zero.
You didn't fall out of shape in a day. You won’t get back into shape in a day, either. So start small. You have time to build upon it!
I suggest starting with strength training three days/week. Just like many other habits, we help folks start small and focus on consistency over intensity. The other four days of the week, start by resting two days, and recovering two days.
Type Two:
People who are already active multiple days per week, focused on mostly cardio or endurance.
Or maybe you are looking to put more meaning into your cardio/endurance training …yes they can very much coexist and both will support each other.
The ideal will depend on different factors: experience level, scheduling, soreness, and proper rest/recovery ratios. I've seen the best results with folks at my gym when they come in between 3-5 times/week.
If you are looking for an intensity breakdown, I personally like to do the following every week:
2-3 high intensity workouts (sometimes just one though)
2-3 moderate level workouts.
1-2 recovery days. On these days, I mostly walk and do some bodyweight movement.
Please keep in mind: Intensity levels should be determined on how you feel, not necessarily a predetermined intensity.
It’s usually okay to push through some of the soreness or grogginess, but if this is more of the norm than the exception, then you likely are on the verge of over-training or injury. Check that ego when your body tells you to do so.
The one thing you can't over-do? Mobility.
I cannot remember the last day that I didn’t do some form of mobility. This is literally how I start every day, and because I own a gym and do a lot of personal trainings, I’m getting in lots of mobility. Mobility could be the best thing in the world to take to the limit. And you can even do it while watching Ted Lasso.
If you have no idea where to start, we have built our businesses around helping folks find ways to make it their own. Please get in touch and we’ll talk about it.