Calling weight lifters

[ny biker]

I do weight lifting twice per week all year long with all major muscle groups. I reduce the leg work during the summer when I'm doing long bike rides, because otherwise my legs feel tired all the time. But I do not eliminate it.

[ny biker]

I do weight lifting twice per week all year long with all major muscle groups. I reduce the leg work during the summer when I'm doing long bike rides, because otherwise my legs feel tired all the time. But I do not eliminate it.

I should add -- I do weight training 2x per week and I generally ride my bike 2x per week. On other days, I take a long walk or a rest day.

In cold weather months, I still do weight training 2x per week and I do cardio 3-4 days per week, varying it between hard workouts on some days and easier ones on other days.

Recovery days are very important.

[GLC1968]

I should add -- I do weight training 2x per week and I generally ride my bike 2x per week. On other days, I take a long walk or a rest day.

In cold weather months, I still do weight training 2x per week and I do cardio 3-4 days per week, varying it between hard workouts on some days and easier ones on other days.

Recovery days are very important.

I think this is the key. No matter your age, recovery is AS important as training. If you can find a way to get it all in and still get enough recovery time, then go for it.

I would *like* to weight train year round, but frankly, I don't have time. For me, it's not about my body not being able to handle it (I don't think)...it's just that during the summer, there is just too much to do!

[Catrin]

Recovery days.....that sounds familiar. My trainer has spoken sternly to me on this from time to time. Recovery? Recovery? Who needs....but of course I am just joking here. My current injury certainly indicates the need for more of it

LOL Malkin, good point

[Crankin]

Catrin, seriously, a recovery day is as important as the days you ride or lift. Especially at our age (just more aware of this, since my b-day is in 10 days). At 32, I could work out like crazy, 6 days a week and do a light work out on the 7th. But, I was always sick! Now, my muscles feel like lead and I actually ache if I don't moderate. Like yesterday, for example. I had planned a short ride, but weather interfered. So I did a 10 minute cardio blast tape which is pretty intense, and then 15 minutes of core work with the stability ball. Then, I took a moderate walk outside, more leisure than fitness, about 2 miles. If I don't do stuff like this once a week, plus another day of yoga with no hard stuff, I am toast. I have found I actually maintain my weigh better with this schedule. I try to do 3-4 days cardio (riding or fitness walking) at this time of year, 2 days core/weights, and the rest, well rest or something very easy. When it's peak cycling or x country season, I back off of everything except 2 days of core or yoga.

[nscrbug]

I've been lifting for about 20 years now. I lift year-round, too. My weight routine generally goes something like this -

Mondays - chest/back
Tuesdays - hamstrings/calves/glutes
Wednesdays - Shoulders/arms/chest/back
Thursdays - quads/calves
Fridays - Shoulders/arms

But I also do 60-90 minutes of cardio before my weight lifting routines. And after I'm done lifting, I do about 30-40 minutes of abdominal/core work and stretching.

I don't lift on the weekends, when I do my long rides. On days that I ride during the week, I make sure it's not on a "leg day".

[nikkoblu2]

I've been lifting for about 20 years now. I lift year-round, too. My weight routine generally goes something like this -

Mondays - chest/back
Tuesdays - hamstrings/calves/glutes
Wednesdays - Shoulders/arms/chest/back
Thursdays - quads/calves
Fridays - Shoulders/arms

But I also do 60-90 minutes of cardio before my weight lifting routines. And after I'm done lifting, I do about 30-40 minutes of abdominal/core work and stretching.

I don't lift on the weekends, when I do my long rides. On days that I ride during the week, I make sure it's not on a "leg day".

So, guessing that your weight routine takes about 30-45 minutes...am I adding correctly when I figure that you're in the gym for about 2-1/2 hours on weekdays? Holy cow! I can't imagine how you find the time.

I squeeze in about 4-5 workouts a week - lasting anywhere between 45 minutes and 1hour 45 min and I know what an effort I have to make to get that in...DH knows it's a priority if he wants me to keep my sanity.

Anyway, back to the original question, I don't see my trainer during the summer months...too many things to do outside...just don't want to be in the gym. So I look forward to it in October, that's when I go back to weight training about 2x a week until May...and then I go back to "heavy-lifting" in my back yard

[OakLeaf]

+1 on recovery days especially, and working the smaller muscle groups and movements in the transverse and frontal planes.

I'd also mention that I've read several places recently that emphasizing the eccentric phase (or when possible, limiting the exertion to the eccentric phase) is important in preventing and recovering from tendinitis in the Achilles and the forearms/elbows. I haven't heard that about the tendons that attach to the hip, but I'd guess the same principles might be at work.