Harder to get stronger while working a blue collar?

[alex0209]

So I love to powerlift and get stronger, but I have a question for some guys working construction - do you find it harder to get strong fast while working on construction? I find with less time to recover since I have to wake early and use my muscles all day, I'm constantly tired and feel I'm not putting 100% of what I'm capable at the gym. Also it's hard to keep on top of a solid diet as I can't just go eat when I please.

[WCC]

Of course. I know if I didn't have to get up at 6:30 every weekday and work 40 hours a week, I would be sleeping and training a hell of a lot more.

That said; I have worked a few jobs and I really don't think it makes any difference whether you're on a building site or sat at a computer screen all day... they both drain you. It's all about how many hours you're working and how much sleep you're getting.

[Movesomething47]

Of course. I know if I didn't have to get up at 6:30 every weekday and work 40 hours a week, I would be sleeping and training a hell of a lot more.

That said; I have worked a few jobs and I really don't think it makes any difference whether you're on a building site or sat at a computer screen all day... they both drain you. It's all about how many hours you're working and how much sleep you're getting.

Seems like it would - especially so if you already have trouble keeping weight on.

Being behind a desk all day though has its drawbacks - mainly my lower back and neck seem especially vulnerable to injury when you start lifting after sitting all day with horrendous posture and then going into a heavy workout.

[_Aggression_]

So I love to powerlift and get stronger, but I have a question for some guys working construction - do you find it harder to get strong fast while working on construction? I find with less time to recover since I have to wake early and use my muscles all day, I'm constantly tired and feel I'm not putting 100% of what I'm capable at the gym. Also it's hard to keep on top of a solid diet as I can't just go eat when I please.

I've had office jobs and worked on the job site for a year. Didn't really effect me in terms of my numbers. They were around the same. One thing I did was increase my water intake (especially during the summer months) and I ate more to recover. Its a big difference in caloric expenditure between sitting at desk for 40hrs a week vs hauling 300lb pieces of glass around. So I increased my calories. When it came time to workout, sure, some workouts lagged, I'd feel weak, etc. But not much more than when I worked at a desk. No matter what, you'll have your good days and bad days in the gym.

[Medley44]

So I love to powerlift and get stronger, but I have a question for some guys working construction - do you find it harder to get strong fast while working on construction? I find with less time to recover since I have to wake early and use my muscles all day, I'm constantly tired and feel I'm not putting 100% of what I'm capable at the gym. Also it's hard to keep on top of a solid diet as I can't just go eat when I please.

From personal experience, it can be VERY difficult to make gains while working labor intensive jobs. I worked rotating 12 hour shifts in a copper mine 6 to 6 for 3 years. I finally decided that I would wake up at 3am/3pm and lift before work, no matter what, that way work would suffer from my lifts and not the other way around. Also, I found dieting next to impossible on that schedule. I have so much respect for anyone who can make gains working shift work, labor intensive jobs, long hours. "A working class hero is something to be".

[JRMoore82]

Was on a mud crew for a couple years. Had no difficulty with gains. Just ate a lot more for energy.

[screamingjesus]

I found the secret is to half-ass my job in order to give 100% at the gym.

[10Lol]

I found the secret is to half-ass my job in order to give 100% at the gym.

Haha This! I work 6am to usually 7pm for a contractor company. Then hit the gym for 2 hours after, 4 days a week. I slack off alot more now at work now to save energy. I'm lucky I can eat just about whenever I need too also. Working long hours with only 1 lunch break will seriously limit you OP. Better get creative

[Medley44]

Haha This! I work 6am to usually 7pm for a contractor company. Then hit the gym for 2 hours after, 4 days a week. I slack off alot more now at work now to save energy. I'm lucky I can eat just about whenever I need too also. Working long hours with only 1 lunch break will seriously limit you OP. Better get creative

A few ways I used to carry protein around were to stuff my safety vest with deer jerky, carry around peeled hardboiled eggs in a zip lock with tobasco sauce, and carry around mackerel/other canned fish. Also sometimes when I was working with skinny people that never seemed to eat, I would just be honest with them and tell them that I was going to be a worthless worker for the rest of the day if I didn't eat.

[boilerbreaker]

I found I need to eat A LOT more and maybe switch some workout days to the weekend if I have them off. If I'm on days, working out after work is tough. I get through the workout but sometimes just don't have the energy. Depends on how the day went at work. If I'm on nights, which I prefer, I workout before work and it is great and love it.

I have a Fitbit Charge HR and it keeps me close to calories burned. When I'm off from work I burn about 2200-2400 on non workout days and 2500-2700 while working out.

When I'm working it varies on the day I have at work but I burn around 3500 on average and crazy days around 4-5000. So food has a big impact on your workout on these days and of course, sleep is a must. Staying up late is a no no.