I spend a long time in the gym

[jackangel]

My volume isn't high, but I wait a long time in between sets.

Take chest/tris as an example. I do 5-6 different exercises in all, perhaps 12-14 sets total. I don't go above 6 reps usually (8 reps for dips). But, I take anywhere from 3-5 minutes rest, to give myself every chance of moving the weight on my next set.

I spend 70-90 minutes in the gym during such a workout.

I sometimes wonder if taking that much time is less than optimal, but I've always thought it was acceptable because the amount of work I'm doing is modest. Given that my goal is strength over size (just slightly), I keep my reps somewhat low and the weight relatively heavy. I like the added recovery time.

Do any of you work out like this?

 

[louden_swain]

no.

 

[Lord_Suston]

use to, I like keeping the time between non maximal weight about 45-90 sec

 

[Griz1]

50 min to 75min tops! So usually 1 hour and I'm out.

 

[spatts]

no.

 

[Synpax]

Not an expert, but I'll share with you. On the flat bench, squat, deadlift, and weighted chin, I wait 2 mins. But everything else is either 1 min or 30 seconds. But I spend 2-2.5 hours in the gym three of four days.

 

[jackangel]

I should have been more specific, since I don't care to hear answers merely to satisfy idle curiosity (the terse replies help me realized this). The reason I posted was out of minimal concern that I might be working out for too long. I've heard that after a certain amount of time, cortisol levels build up to the point where they might hurt gains. I think 90 minutes is still safe, but I'm not sure. Also, my impression is that it's not just spending a lot of time, but also training high volume which can retard growth.

Bottom line: are there any negatives to consider, given my training and goals?

 

[CobraUTAH]

Here's my general rule. I'm doing 5x5, and it takes me an average of 30 minutes per body part, i.e. chest 30 minutes, bi's 30 minutes etc. So Monday is just legs and calves and it takes me a minimum of 30 minutes to just get the legs done and then I move to calves so all in all about 60 minutes on monday. Tuesday is chest and chest only it's about 40 minutes because I need to extra rest with the heavier weight, I'm now doing. So on and so forth.

 

[crazybeef5555]

not an expert either but i agree with synpax. Core lifts give yourslef a good rest but keep the rest time down on exercises like bicep curls. Testosterone spikes and declines after 45 minutes of lifting.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Personally I like to workout up to 8 hours twice a week and then 2 other 2-3 hour sessions. It worked real well for me in the past, and has still brought alot of strength gains, though size has been moving slowly.

 

[capitalT]

I work more on the total number of sets per workout. If I pyramid up at the end of the sets I need more rest. I hit 26 sets/90min. Workout to 3.5 minutes per set (that includes machine set up, getting water, et c). Sometimes I need 5 minutes between heavy set.

 

[casualbb]

Too...many...sets...

 

[onerepmaximum]

I try to keep it to about 45-60 minutes. I've been told that much more than that and you begin to catabolize too much muscle tissue. Working out is catabolic in itself but if you spend too much time I've heard that you destroy more muscle than is repaired. I'm sure varies by the individual and what type of "supplements" you are taking too.

 

[Synpax]

onerep - that doesn't make sense on it's own. Are you saying that working one muscle for morethan an hour is bad, or working multiple muscles for an hour is bad?

 

[RottenWillow]

I should have been more specific, since I don't care to hear answers merely to satisfy idle curiosity (the terse replies help me realized this). The reason I posted was out of minimal concern that I might be working out for too long. I've heard that after a certain amount of time, cortisol levels build up to the point where they might hurt gains. I think 90 minutes is still safe, but I'm not sure. Also, my impression is that it's not just spending a lot of time, but also training high volume which can retard growth.

Bottom line: are there any negatives to consider, given my training and goals?

I subscribe to the theory that workouts should be sprints not marathons. Balls to the wall intensity, get in, get out fast.