What do you think about working out during lunch hour?

[BAMAVOO]

I need to get my butt in shape and really the only time I have is during lunch hour. We have a local gym offering a 1 year contract for $200. They are 24 hour facility, but with my schedule, my lunch hour offers me the best opportunity to work out.

I have 2 kids that play soccer, 1 also plays fall baseball and the other 1 also has pitching lessons and piano lessons. With work and all the kid activities this is what is left for me to workout.

Will I be able to benefit from 45-60 minute workouts 3-4 days a week?

 

[Ctrackstar126]

45 minutes is more than enough time to get in a solid workout. You see guys who go to the gym for an hour or two spend half that time chatting away. Get in do your stuff get out and youll actually put in a better workout. So in a sense because you are on a time limit you may actually get a better workout.

 

[Engraver]

May not be a huge benefit, but more so than not working out. You'll just have to focus on one or two muscle groups a week to see any real benefit.

 

[NuclearNed]

A lot of guys here do it, but not me. I don't like the idea of getting sweaty and having to take a shower during my lunch break.

 

[torpid]

It should be ok, but the gym here at least gets super crowded during the "normal" lunch hour from 11am to 1pm. If you can take a late lunch each day it would work out quite well.

 

[KnickNut3]

Originally posted by: Engraver
May not be a huge benefit, but more so than not working out. You'll just have to focus on one or two muscle groups a week to see any real benefit.

You can do plenty of good with a three day split (legs, chest/tris, back/abs/bis) doing each once a week. Focusing on a muscle group a week is not the right way to do it.

I personally don't like being sweaty, taking a quick shower and having to put a suit back on because my body temperature is still up and I sweat bullets the next half hour. But if it's the only time, it's definitely time enough to show a benefit.

 

[purbeast0]

working out 4 hours a week is definitely enough. that's what I've been doing for the past 3 years or so.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
working out 4 hours a week is definitely enough. that's what I've been doing for the past 3 years or so.

So would working out like KnickNut3 suggested work well? (legs, chest/tris, back/abs/bis)


I have no idea what to do or when to do it.

What is a good suggestion to get the best benefit?


I mean, squats, bench press.............on and on.

Thanks

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
working out 4 hours a week is definitely enough. that's what I've been doing for the past 3 years or so.

Agreed. The only reason I go more is out of sheer boredom

 

[BAMAVOO]

Would it be best to do

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

or Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday?

This will be the only times I have available.

Thanks again.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

mon tues thurs friday

or

mon wed fri

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO

Originally posted by: purbeast0
working out 4 hours a week is definitely enough. that's what I've been doing for the past 3 years or so.

So would working out like KnickNut3 suggested work well? (legs, chest/tris, back/abs/bis)


I have no idea what to do or when to do it.

What is a good suggestion to get the best benefit?


I mean, squats, bench press.............on and on.

Thanks

my schedule is the following:

Monday: Abs/Shoulders
Tueusday: Back/Biceps
Thursday: Chest/Triceps
Saturday: Legs

I try to keep shoulders and chest as far apart as possible because if my shoulders are sore when doing chest, my incline presses will be kind of weak. And vice versa.

If you are just starting out, do the very basic compound exercises.

Shoulders - Military Presses
Back - Deadlifts (will also help your legs)
Chest - Flat Bench Barbell
Legs - Squats

Of course don't just do 1 type of exercise, but start out with those.

 

[aldamon]

If you work out at lunch hour, when do you eat lunch?

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: aldamon
If you work out at lunch hour, when do you eat lunch?

Either before or after... Whatever is best, probably after.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: purbeast0


my schedule is the following:

Monday: Abs/Shoulders
Tueusday: Back/Biceps
Thursday: Chest/Triceps
Saturday: Legs

I try to keep shoulders and chest as far apart as possible because if my shoulders are sore when doing chest, my incline presses will be kind of weak. And vice versa.

If you are just starting out, do the very basic compound exercises.

Shoulders - Military Presses
Back - Deadlifts (will also help your legs)
Chest - Flat Bench Barbell
Legs - Squats

Of course don't just do 1 type of exercise, but start out with those.

Zoinks, thats incredibly similar to my split. I highly recommend it as well. I do traps with shoulders, and never do abs but other then that dead on.

 

[BAMAVOO]

How do you know how much weight to start out with?

Do you want to do 3 sets of 12 and barely finish the last set? I have heard so much about what is right and wrong it is hard to know what is really effective. I know if I am not seeing results it will be hard to stick with it. The problem is, I HAVE TO make these changes.

 

[NGC_604]

..

 

[Miramonti]

I'd suggest more like 30 minutes and use the rest to shower and eat, and perhaps alternate in an aerobic activity on some days.

It may not be maximizing all you can do, but its more important/beneficial to atleast do something regularly while at the same time not taking on something so intense that you dread doing it.

 

[Descartes]

I don't like it for two reasons:

1) My lunch "hour" (luckily I'm not really time constrained) is time to get away and try to have a decent meal. It's also a time to have conversations with friends. I want something to break away the banalities of the day.
2) I don't like getting sweaty, taking a shower, picking up some crappy food (see #1) and heading right back to work.

I usually workout immediately after work or really late. Not the optimal time, but it works for me.

 

[Ricochet]

Some of the guys at my job workout during their lunch hour and eat/snack throughout the day. I think it's a good idea.

If you're just starting out, go light. Don't overdue it. 3 sets of 12 sounds alright. Do some cardio to strengthen your heart. Once you get your body acclimated to weights, then you can decide what would be the best workout routine for you.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: BAMAVOO

Will I be able to benefit from 45-60 minute workouts 3-4 days a week?

Without question. Absolutely. How much you will benefit will depend on your genetics and how focused you are during your workouts. But if you even put any decent amount of effort and concentration and focus into it at all, you will benefit.

 

[krunchykrome]

If the gym is located very close to your office, I suppose you could. I knew a guy who would go workout on his lunch break. But my question to you is what about lunch? You're going to go hungry?...or eat throughout the day?

 

[BAMAVOO]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
If the gym is located very close to your office, I suppose you could. I knew a guy who would go workout on his lunch break. But my question to you is what about lunch? You're going to go hungry?...or eat throughout the day?

I sit at my desk for the most part all day. I could eat when I get back or before I go.

 

[hx009]

Not to threadjack, but what is the optimal time of day to work out? Early, mid-day, or after work/school?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I sometimes go for a bike ride during lunch. Did 20 miles on Tuesday in fact.