How do you choose?

[rasczak]

between doing what you love, and doing what's better for you?

I've been trying to get back into the gym for quite sometime now (about 5 months). however, mwf's (used to be my typical workout days) are b-ball days at work. I love playing ball, but I'm not getting the kind of satisfactory workout I did when I was lifting. I liked the SS workout but it just seems to not be enough to make me break my basketball routine. I can't workout at home since I have no equipment, and really can't afford to purchase anything for a while.

How do you guys do it? Any ideas on workout routines I can do twice a week t-th?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Doing an SS-like workout on Tues and Thurs is going to be more beneficial than not lifting. You gotta do what you love. Staying active is important and playing basketball is pretty good exercise. Like I said, if you wanna play basketball MWF, then just get the normal lifts in T, TH. It'll help.

 

[brikis98]

Do SS Tue, Thur, Sat?

 

[TallBill]

After a week or two your body will get used to doing both. Perhaps ease into SS. It'll be tough at first, but you should be fine. If not, then maybe put 75% effort into both.

 

[rasczak]

Thanks guys. I needed that. My motivation has been waning because i just couldn't really decide on how to attack it.

Originally posted by: brikis98
Do SS Tue, Thur, Sat?

I'd love to, but I work at a another job on Sat's. As well, I don't have any equipment at home and the gym here at work is 30 miles away.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: rasczak
Thanks guys. I needed that. My motivation has been waning because i just couldn't really decide on how to attack it.

Originally posted by: brikis98
Do SS Tue, Thur, Sat?

I'd love to, but I work at a another job on Sat's. As well, I don't have any equipment at home and the gym here at work is 30 miles away.

You need to decide what your goals are. And no, "I want to get in shape" or "I want to be toned" is not a useful goal. A useful goal is one that you can concretely define and measure your progress towards. For example, "I want to weight X pounds and have body fat percentage Y by date Z" is a useful goal. So is "I want to squat X pounds and deadlift Y pounds by date Z". Not only does this help you set proper priorities for the type of exercise you're going to do, but it's also going to give you some much needed motivation. It'll turn your time at the gym from just a "workout" to a "challenge/competition" with yourself. Starting an online workout log can also help keep you honest.

Once you've picked your goals, you can arrange your schedule to meet them. For example, if being able to squat some weight or gain muscle mass was your priority, you'd probably prioritize SS over basketball. Maybe for a few months, you'd do SS 3 times per week before your basketball games and keep the games really short. Or maybe you'd find a different basketball game to play that isn't on MWF. A third option would be to get a gym membership near your house. If overall fitness was your goal, perhaps you'd do basketball twice a week (Mon, Wed) and SS twice a week (Tue, Fri) and rest the other days. Depending on your goals, you could also toss in a workout on the weekends using whatever equipment you do have. For example, you could do a Crossfit style metcon workout, such as the ones that require limited equipment, as listed in this pdf.

 

[wheresmybacon]

When I had no equipment I'd do circuits incorporating push-ups, various ab work, stair running, body-weight squats, and plyometrics.

And if working out at the gym is important to you, you'll make time. Last summer when I dropped 30 pounds of drinking weight I was getting up at 4:45 5 days a week so I could go to the gym. Sleeping would have been easier, but the weight wasn't going to come off if I stayed in bed.

 

[KoolDrew]

Doing a full body routine 2x is fine and definitely way better than what most people end up doing in the gym. As long as you put effort in it isn't going to be a problem. The main reason I advocate a 3x week workout schedule for beginners is that they get more practice on the lifts. Beyond the beginner phase I generally recommend hitting a bodypart only 2x a week anyway.

 

[rasczak]

ok guys, i jumped back into it. as was suggested earlier in the thread, i am starting over with ss 2 x week. after i get back to my previous levels, ill move to full body (just want to research it a bit more to find what exercises i want to do) @ 80% max and just go from there.

thanks for the words, i needed to find the motivation again and know that i can actually do both.

i'll be updating my workout thread once more.

:cheers;

 

[KoolDrew]

i am starting over with ss 2 x week. after i get back to my previous levels, ill move to full body

Huh? Starting Strength IS full body...

 

[rasczak]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

i am starting over with ss 2 x week. after i get back to my previous levels, ill move to full body

Huh? Starting Strength IS full body...

what i meant was all parts not just squat, chest, shoulders or squat, deads, rows. unless i'm fine with the way things are?

 

[KoolDrew]

You're fine with the way things are. A while ago I followed a similar routine while cutting...

Day1:
Squat 3x5
Bench 3x5
RDL 3x5
Row 3x5

Day 2:
Deadlift 3x5
OH Press 3x5
Front Squat 3x5
Chins 3x5