Work Schedule

bubbadiddit · May 30, 2007

Ok guys, I work rotating shifts. When it was 8 hour shifts, it wasn't hard to find time to workout. Now, we are on a trial for 12 hour shifts. While I get to see my family more, it's a lot harder to get to the gym. 12 hours on your feet in 120 degree heat pretty much takes it all out of me for that day. My question in what do you think about stacking workouts to make better use of time, but still not overtrain? Ex: I worked off @ 7am yesterday, came home and slept till 2pm. Got up, took wife to a movie, and went to gym (chest, tri's, shoulders), came home, ate and slept. This morning I'm up, about to eat, go to gym (legs) and that will be it till Thursday (back, etc.). In theory, since I only have 3 days off this week (i say that like it's a bad thing, next week I'll have four), it should make the best use of time. The workouts are far enough apart to rest for energy (chest & legs) and there is enough time for recovery (Wed. morning- Thursday evening). Any thoughts?

oldfella · May 30, 2007

bubbadiddit said:
Ok guys, I work rotating shifts. When it was 8 hour shifts, it wasn't hard to find time to workout. Now, we are on a trial for 12 hour shifts. While I get to see my family more, it's a lot harder to get to the gym. 12 hours on your feet in 120 degree heat pretty much takes it all out of me for that day. My question in what do you think about stacking workouts to make better use of time, but still not overtrain? Ex: I worked off @ 7am yesterday, came home and slept till 2pm. Got up, took wife to a movie, and went to gym (chest, tri's, shoulders), came home, ate and slept. This morning I'm up, about to eat, go to gym (legs) and that will be it till Thursday (back, etc.). In theory, since I only have 3 days off this week (i say that like it's a bad thing, next week I'll have four), it should make the best use of time. The workouts are far enough apart to rest for energy (chest & legs) and there is enough time for recovery (Wed. morning- Thursday evening). Any thoughts?

As long as you are not training the same muscle directly it will be fine. You could work out three days in a row. As long as the muscles trained are not identical then it is no problem. it sounds to me like you work in the mining industry.i used to have my gym in a mining town. The guy worked 12hrs shifts 4 on 4 off 4on 3 off and repeats. They worked day shifts then night shifts then days off. It was a pretty screwy schedule but I worked their programs around their shifts.

bubbadiddit · May 31, 2007

Actually, a paper mill in the south. That schedule sounds similar to what we work. Ours is 4 nights, 3 off, 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights, 3 off, 4 days, 7 off. Not too bad considering I'm only working half of the month. Just complicates my workout schedule. Thanks for the response old fella. It wouldn't be like that every week. It would be adjusted according to the schedule, but that's probably a given. Anyway, thanks again....

Future · May 31, 2007

If you can consistently train on a split that allows for 3-4 days a week to train I think you will be ok. OLD FELLA is right on the money with his words in my opinion as well.

Just follow the Nike slogan.

Boo · May 31, 2007

I work 7 days per week. Mon to Friday 2:30 -11:30 pm and Sat & Sun 5:00 - 1:00.

On Mon - Fri, I get home at midnight, shower, eat & go to bed. I get up at 4:15 and go to the gym for 5:00 am, train and get home by 7:30. I eat and go to bed, get up for work at 12:00. I train Mon & Tues - Thurs & Fri. I take the weekends off. For three weeks a year( June, July & Aug ) I train on the weed-ends, these are 1 hr sessions focusing on abs, cardio and a weak bodypart.

I get 6 weeks vacation per year and 12 statuatory hollidays, during which I have my time off / down time, but I still train the same way ( to the gym at 5 am.) It is the only way I can fit my training into my schedule . . . getting up after 3 hrs of sleep often feels painful ( it goes away after 20 min's or so.) I am who I am because of my love for bodybuilding and I see my training as relaxation, so it's all good.

I guess in short, if ya love it, you will find a way that works and a way to train you enjoy.

Boo