Should I work out every day?

Question

I've heard that people who work out should only do so every other day. Why?

Is this to give my muscles time to heal? To develop? Something else entirely?

Is it counterproductive to work out daily?

What about upper body one day and legs the next?

Answer 1

Yes, you answered your own question.  Plus exercising every day weakens the immune system.

Answer 2

I took aerobics every morning in HS for 4 years. we worked out everyday(except weekends), some days were easier than others, but we still worked out. I was in great shape all through HS because of it (:

I don't see what it would hurt, maybe a day or two off every week would be good too

Answer 3

Hey there I'm a fitness trainer and thought I'd give you my two sense :).

Every day you should do something different.  Each day it is good to do some cardio (running, biking, w/e you like), and maybe add in a little bit of weights if you are looking for muscle growth.  I would say you could do cardio everyday...just mix-up your strength training every day.  I do cardio, and focus on a different muscle group each day.  Focusing on just one mucsle group will allow you to give the time needed to perform the exercises correctly instead of just hurrying to the next muscle!  Hope this helps!

Answer 4

yes, the human body is designed to exert itself daily.  the key is to vary the intensity of your exercise.  with a proper diet the muscles can recover from exercise in 24-48 hours but it is the central nervous system that takes longer to recover from continuous high intensity exercise.  below are some examples of how to vary the intensity of exercise and it applies to both cardio and resistance training.

Mon- High Intensity

Tues - Low Intensity

Wed - Medium

Thur - High

Fri - Low

Sat - Medium

Sun - Off or start cycle over

Mon - Med

Tues - High

Wed - Low

Thur - Off or start cycle over

* you really don't want to lift heavy weights (>80% of the 1RM) for more than 2 days in a row.  high intensity cardio like sprints, interval training, etc. need only be performed every other day or a total of 3 days a week.

* High Intensity Resistance training would be using loads that are around 80% of the one repetition maximum or greater.

* Medium would be using loads from 60-80% of the 1Rm

* Low would be using loads that are less than 60% of the 1RM.  loads this light do not induce microtrauma to skeletal muscle or tax the central nervous system much.  you can exercise the same body parts daily with loads this light.

Answer 5

yeah

Answer 6

You should be able to tell when your muscles are tired its not that complicated just do some exersices until your tired then take a rest until you feel back to your normal self.

It usually takes a day or two to get back to normal.

If your back is not properly supported when you are working out for example standing and doing dumbell curls it will effect growth yeah just sit down and it wont do very much harm but a little bit remember.

Take it easy just remember to do all body never one or the other like i did before i was uneven for about 3 months.

Do stretches before and after workout and play sports regularly and youll be ok.  

Answer 7

If you wanna look like arnold schwarsnzeggar, then i guess go ahead. But you gotta do yoo research man ya know man ...  

Answer 8

People tell you to only work out every other day due to you need to give your muscles time to recover! if you dont it will not benifit them at all!...   But yes if u do say ur upper one day then lower the next thats fine! if your only doing light weight then everyday wont hurt! its when u wake up the next day and can barely move, when u need the break haha!

cardio training is the main one though that shouldnt be done everyday! in between cardio sessions you should leave 48 hours for your body to recover!

there are two stages aerobic and anaerobic! aerobic is when your burning your fat, and anaerobic is when your pushing at your highest, and just doing that for fitness!, if you work your anaerobic system too much it will have the opposite effect and just burn you out, and ul have no energy!

In saying that! im an elite athlete and have to train 6 times a week, so it depends on my training as too wether i need a break! we try to mix it up as much as possible so we dnt need to much of a rest!