Reply
Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Registered User Chl0e's Avatar
    Join Date: Jun 2012
    Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
    Posts: 13
    Rep Power: 0
    Chl0e has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    Chl0e is offline

    How long should my sessions last?

    I am pretty new to weight training and I am looking to lose fat and gain muscle. I play squash three times a week for forty minutes (perhaps too much cardio but I love playing) and I train in the gym, concentrating only on weights, three times a week. I am 27, 134lbs, 5'3 and female.

    I've looked extensively through this site and I've devised a training program which splits my body into three sessions - chest and biceps, legs, shoulders and abs and back and triceps.

    Each session I do three sets of eight-ten reps of about 8 or 9 different exercises. This takes me between 35 and 45 minutes depending on which session I'm on. I intend to change my program by adjusting the weights or reps every six weeks.

    My question is - is this enough time spent in the gym on each session and is 8/9 different exercises enough for each session?
    Reply With Quote

  2. #2
    Registered User Mongo81X's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2012
    Location: North Carolina, United States
    Age: 42
    Posts: 948
    Rep Power: 541
    Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250)
    Mongo81X is offline
    If you are going to go on a 3 day split most would recommend a full body workout consisting of mostly compound movements. At the beginner stage you can't lift enough weight to warrant that much recovery time between hitting each muscle and will see better gains hitting the same muscle 2-3 times a week. Starting strength is a good program as well as all pros. Good luck.

    Here is link to all pros to give you a idea of a solid fb workout.
    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4195843
    Training Log (5/3/1 as of 9/10):
    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=146734283
    Reply With Quote

  3. #3
    Self proclaimed parrot Determinednoob's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2012
    Location: United States
    Posts: 3,633
    Rep Power: 1026
    Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500) Determinednoob is a jewel in the rough. (+500)
    Determinednoob is offline
    You can only gain fat and lose muscle at the same time for the first few months after which you have to choose. The info stated above is all correct as well. The time spent in the gym should be however long it takes to perform a proper beginner routine. This will usually be 45-60 minutes. 8-9 exercises is too many. A basic routine would look something like 3 compound lifts, a bodyweight lift, and maybe accesory stuff for abs\calves\forearms if you need it. A ton of good info for losing fat and gaining muscle can be found in the link in my sig.
    The floundering has ended.
    Reply With Quote

  4. #4
    Registered User jay8899's Avatar
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Age: 45
    Posts: 883
    Rep Power: 455
    jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250) jay8899 has a spectacular aura about. (+250)
    jay8899 is offline
    Weight training,im in and out of the gym in appx 40-50 mins..With cardio 60-70 mins.

    Originally Posted by Chl0e View Post
    I am pretty new to weight training and I am looking to lose fat and gain muscle. I play squash three times a week for forty minutes (perhaps too much cardio but I love playing) and I train in the gym, concentrating only on weights, three times a week. I am 27, 134lbs, 5'3 and female.

    I've looked extensively through this site and I've devised a training program which splits my body into three sessions - chest and biceps, legs, shoulders and abs and back and triceps.

    Each session I do three sets of eight-ten reps of about 8 or 9 different exercises. This takes me between 35 and 45 minutes depending on which session I'm on. I intend to change my program by adjusting the weights or reps every six weeks.

    My question is - is this enough time spent in the gym on each session and is 8/9 different exercises enough for each session?
    I do no more than 5 exercises pr body prt,depending the body part.

    Chest 3-5 exercises, 3-4 sets per
    Back 4-6 exercises(includes shrugs),3-4 sets per
    Shoulders 4-5 exercises (including shrugs) ,3-4 sets per
    Tris 4 exercises ( i have small arms and have found that works well for me),3-4 sets per
    Bis 2-3 exercises,2-3 sets per

    Just because you are there for long doesnt mean you are doing a good thing.OVERTRAINING its called.
    Last edited by jay8899; 07-25-2012 at 09:51 AM.
    Reply With Quote

  5. #5
    Registered User wannagoheavy's Avatar
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Age: 52
    Posts: 430
    Rep Power: 317
    wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50)
    wannagoheavy is offline
    Another vote for Allpro's beginner workout. It is a solid proven program, my wife and her 15 yr old daughter are even doing it now and love it.
    This forum is great! Wish I found it years ago.....
    Reply With Quote

  6. #6
    Registered User Ilesey's Avatar
    Join Date: Apr 2009
    Age: 41
    Posts: 165
    Rep Power: 185
    Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0) Ilesey has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    Ilesey is offline
    Generally I spend no longer than 45 minutes. With adequate rest after REALLY hitting the compound movements I usually don't have a great deal left in the tank.
    Reply With Quote

  7. #7
    Registered User faifer2k's Avatar
    Join Date: Mar 2012
    Location: Germany
    Age: 39
    Posts: 99
    Rep Power: 167
    faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10) faifer2k is on a distinguished road. (+10)
    faifer2k is offline
    Originally Posted by Chl0e View Post
    I am pretty new to weight training and I am looking to lose fat and gain muscle. I play squash three times a week for forty minutes (perhaps too much cardio but I love playing) and I train in the gym, concentrating only on weights, three times a week. I am 27, 134lbs, 5'3 and female.

    I've looked extensively through this site and I've devised a training program which splits my body into three sessions - chest and biceps, legs, shoulders and abs and back and triceps.

    Each session I do three sets of eight-ten reps of about 8 or 9 different exercises. This takes me between 35 and 45 minutes depending on which session I'm on. I intend to change my program by adjusting the weights or reps every six weeks.

    My question is - is this enough time spent in the gym on each session and is 8/9 different exercises enough for each session?
    8-9 different exercises with 3 sets and 8-10 reps is actually quite a lot. I am amazed, that you can complete that workout in less than 45 minutes. Intensity is very important. After you do 10 reps you should NOT feel like. "I did 10 but I could do 10 more" The last few reps should be hard on you. Ideally the weight should be so, that you are not able to do any more reps in good form after your 8-10 reps in each set.

    Key exercises are: squats, deadlifts, bench press, rows, chinups/pullups/lat pulldown, military press Good additional iexercises: dips, bb curls, lateral raises, calf raises, leg curls, rear delt flys,

    If you try to build your training program around those key exercises and if you chose your weights correctly (not too heavy, you want to be able to do at least 8 reps, not too light -> if you can do more than 12 reps you should add weight), you will definitely need 1-2 minutes of rest after each set. You do not want to train longer than 1 hour per session. With your workout, you would spend at least 30-40 minutes resting between the sets, if you train with the proper intensity. I think your volume is too high.

    I would advise you to go with 12-18 sets in total and follow either a proven workout scheme like allpros or starting strength or build your own:

    A very good alternating full-body workout could look like this:

    A:
    Squats
    Benchpress
    Chinups
    xxxxx <- (Maybe a shoulder exercise like lateral raises or db shoulder press)
    xxxxx <-( Maybe calf raises or lying leg curls)

    B:
    Deadlift
    Military Press
    Rows
    xxxxx <- (Dips would be a great exercise)
    xxxxx<- (Maybe some arm isolation like bb curls or tricep extensions)

    3x 8-12 Reps is a solid range. I would do some warmup-sets before that (50% weight @ 10 reps, 65% weight @ 5 reps, 80% weight @ 3 reps) to avoid injuries.
    Keep the weight constant over the sets and try to do more repetitions every workout. As soon as you are strong enough to do more than 12 reps in 2 sets, add weight the next workout.
    Reply With Quote

  8. #8
    Registered User Chl0e's Avatar
    Join Date: Jun 2012
    Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
    Posts: 13
    Rep Power: 0
    Chl0e has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    Chl0e is offline
    Thank you all for your advice. Based upon what you've all advised me I am now proposing to do the following:

    Squats
    Bench presses
    Bent over rows
    Overhead dumbbell press
    Barbell curls
    Lying leg curls
    Tricep cable push down with rope attachment

    I propose to do four sets, one at 1/4 weight, one at 1/2 weight and two at the full weight. I will do 8 reps the first week, 9 the second, and so on, as the All Pro workout suggests.

    I have tailored the workout for several reasons - overhead dumbbell presses because my gym only has fixed bars with 10kg weights and it's too much of a jump up when increasing, I have taken dead lifts out because despite using a low weight to start with and getting a trainer to make sure my form is correct I get bad lower back pain from this exercise and I have removed the calf raises and replaced them with the lying leg curls. I've added the tricep exercise because I really want to work this muscle.

    Please can you tell me what you think about this workout? How long should I do this for before I change the exercises and start doing more than one exercise for each muscle group?

    Chloe
    Reply With Quote

  9. #9
    Registered User wannagoheavy's Avatar
    Join Date: Aug 2011
    Age: 52
    Posts: 430
    Rep Power: 317
    wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50) wannagoheavy will become famous soon enough. (+50)
    wannagoheavy is offline
    Originally Posted by Chl0e View Post
    Thank you all for your advice. Based upon what you've all advised me I am now proposing to do the following:

    Squats
    Bench presses
    Bent over rows
    Overhead dumbbell press
    Barbell curls
    Lying leg curls
    Tricep cable push down with rope attachment

    I propose to do four sets, one at 1/4 weight, one at 1/2 weight and two at the full weight. I will do 8 reps the first week, 9 the second, and so on, as the All Pro workout suggests.

    I have tailored the workout for several reasons - overhead dumbbell presses because my gym only has fixed bars with 10kg weights and it's too much of a jump up when increasing, I have taken dead lifts out because despite using a low weight to start with and getting a trainer to make sure my form is correct I get bad lower back pain from this exercise and I have removed the calf raises and replaced them with the lying leg curls. I've added the tricep exercise because I really want to work this muscle.

    Please can you tell me what you think about this workout? How long should I do this for before I change the exercises and start doing more than one exercise for each muscle group?

    Chloe
    Get rid of the triceps cables, OHP and bench will be plenty for your triceps.

    It is a stiff leg deadlift (SLDL) not a traditional deadlift, look on youtube for Dorian Yates SLDL, that is how it should be done. Make sure you keep back flat and hinge at the hips. It will actually help you lower back if done properly.

    I would leave calfs in as with a BB calfs will also work you abs as stabilizers for the bar.

    Do this program for the next year or till you cant keep adding weights to the bar.
    This forum is great! Wish I found it years ago.....
    Reply With Quote

  10. #10
    Registered User 32bulkcycle's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2012
    Posts: 213
    Rep Power: 0
    32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100) 32bulkcycle is not very well liked. (-100)
    32bulkcycle is offline
    Hope you dont plan on changing that body too much
    Reply With Quote

  11. #11
    Registered User Mongo81X's Avatar
    Join Date: May 2012
    Location: North Carolina, United States
    Age: 42
    Posts: 948
    Rep Power: 541
    Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250) Mongo81X has a spectacular aura about. (+250)
    Mongo81X is offline
    You can try Romanian dead lifts as well, but would get rid of the leg curls then because hams will be fried after squats and rdl. Good luck, let us know how it works out.
    Training Log (5/3/1 as of 9/10):
    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=146734283
    Reply With Quote

  12. #12
    Registered User Chl0e's Avatar
    Join Date: Jun 2012
    Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
    Posts: 13
    Rep Power: 0
    Chl0e has no reputation, good or bad yet. (0)
    Chl0e is offline
    Originally Posted by wannagoheavy View Post
    Get rid of the triceps cables, OHP and bench will be plenty for your triceps.

    It is a stiff leg deadlift (SLDL) not a traditional deadlift, look on youtube for Dorian Yates SLDL, that is how it should be done. Make sure you keep back flat and hinge at the hips. It will actually help you lower back if done properly.

    I would leave calfs in as with a BB calfs will also work you abs as stabilizers for the bar.

    Do this program for the next year or till you cant keep adding weights to the bar.
    Thanks for your advice about the deadlifts. I've watched the video and I'll try it when I go tomorrow night. I was always taught to go right down to the floor so that might have been why it was hurting my back. I'll let you know how I get on!
    Reply With Quote

  13. #13
    Registered User JSNeves's Avatar
    Join Date: Jul 2011
    Location: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
    Age: 42
    Posts: 1,384
    Rep Power: 503
    JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250) JSNeves has a spectacular aura about. (+250)
    JSNeves is offline
    Originally Posted by Chl0e View Post
    Thanks for your advice about the deadlifts. I've watched the video and I'll try it when I go tomorrow night. I was always taught to go right down to the floor so that might have been why it was hurting my back. I'll let you know how I get on!
    sounds like you were going lower then your body is prepared for, unless your gym has bumper plates that allowed you to have a standard range of motion with light weight.
    Reply With Quote

Similar Threads

  1. How long should workout sessions last
    By dickies_2 in forum Teen Bodybuilding
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 01-02-2008, 05:44 PM
  2. how long should a w/o last?
    By . AceR in forum Exercises
    Replies: 34
    Last Post: 12-15-2006, 05:01 PM
  3. How Long Should A workout Last?
    By Joe1968 in forum Workout Programs
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 10-29-2004, 07:01 AM
  4. how long should a workout last?
    By BigPoopaPump in forum Teen Bodybuilding
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 11-23-2003, 12:39 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts