I have been training for a while now but now that I have entered the school work load I have to change my training schedule to weekends. Is having a three day split, Friday, Saturday, Sunday routine too much without recovery? The other question if anyone can help, does anyone think 4 days off is too long to start training again? Unfortunately that is honestly what I have to work with. Is this not good? I have been researching for a while now. Anyone have any insite?

Thanks, Carlos

My opinion on this one is for one, it depends on the training schedule that you are on (heavy, medium)..cardio/no cardo..Training for a competition or just training to feel good and look good! I think 4 days a week is plenty for weight training so you should be okay and split it up a bit, don't do 3 days in a row and then 4 days off...You should beable to fit at least 30 minutes somewhere during the week (2x's) for sure....Well, I hope anyway. I have been out of school for sometime now so I'm not used to that load..

Thanks for your input. I will have to try to put something into the week. It's just really hard. My training regimen is strickly weight gain and fat loss. I am not in competition or anything. Just trying to get better to eventually someday be in competition. I apprecitate the info.

Thanks,
Carlos

Carlos,

You'll be fine. The extra recovery will not hamper you. The diet will be key, though. I train on Monday's, Thursday's, and Friday year round. Some weeks I am unable to get Monday's workout in. So, I am getting 5 days rest between sessions. Last year, in preparation for a pro natural show, I must've missed at least 6 or 7 Monday sessions during my final 12 weeks leading into the show. And to be honest, I didn't lose anything (muscle, conditioning, increased bodyfat)while knowing full on that I was going up against some tuff boys!! I believe many natural trainers overtrain to begin with. Couple that with inconsistant nutrition, and results come extremely slow, if at all. On your off days, I'd bump up clean protein sources, while on your 3 days of training, I'd increase complex carbs slightly, take in additional bcaa's before and during training, and include a good PWO drink.

Hey Aram that really helps me feel better. I was getting a little worried that I wouldn't make the gains. I do have one questions though. what is PWO drink...is it protein work out drink? If so, I do that as well. Thanks for the information about the carbs too. That really helps.

PWO = Post Workout

During training I like sipping on a glutamine/bcaa solution with maybe some extra bcaa's. After training I'd go with Muscle Provider. Followed about 1 hour later with a meal.

You can also experimient with using carbs with your PWO drink, adding in a couple of scoops of Mass Maker to your Muscle Provider shake. Find the formula which suits your unique requirements, and monitor your results. Good luck.

Thanks for your help again.