Weight lifting duration?

[DontBurnMyFlag]

Hey all,

I was lifting weights as I usually do and a basic question, one which I have no answer to, popped in my head.

I know periods of exercise vary per person. Depending on their weight, size and overall fitness needs. But I was wondering if it is possible to achieve an adaquate weight workout in the area of 30 minutes?

If not what is a good time period?

Ive read about doing workouts where there is no rest between sets. But at a crowded gym, jumping from machine to machine may mean waiting in line.

Im open to ideas/advice. Im at a point where my gym routine has been the same for a while and I need to change it up. Plateaus and all that.

Thanks.

[Mike1986]

I prefer to see people train in the 1- 1 1/2 hour range, but a lot can be done in 30 minutes. Try out one or both of these circuits as a change-

100's

100 pullups
100 pushups
100 sit ups
100 air squats

For time- see how long it takes you do all of that, whether it's 10 minutes or 30 and you can gauge your progress by seeing a reduction in the time needed to do them.

On the Minute

5 pullups
10 pushups
15 air squats

On the minute for 30 minutes.

You can sub these circuits a few days a week for weight training and with these you are getting aerobic, anaerobic, strength and conditioning benefits. Let me caution you that if you start these- take them slow because most lifters aren't used to routines like this that are very taxing on the body as a whole and you will see that you tire very easily. Do as many as you can and work up to better progress after you just get used to them for a while.

[DontBurnMyFlag]

once again mike, coming through with the good advice.

the pullups are the only thing I can see really struggling with. I max out at 10 but im sure I could get a few sets in.

thanks for the info. ill give it a try tomorrow.

[Mike1986]

Thanks Kev. If you're having trouble doing straight pullups then try doing them with a kipping motion. Kipping is just kicking the lower body out lightly (avoiding a pendulum motion) while doing the pullups so that you can get a few extra out of the set, a little bit of kipping goes a long way in completing sets of pullups. Some consider it cheating, but either way you have to get your chin over that bar anyway.

[RangeHunter]

I can get a workout done in 30 minutes, I do it quite often on my lunch break. However I HATE feeling rushed during a workout. For me as intense as the workouts get, it is still mentally a time for me to wind down.

[The13ig13adWolf]

I know periods of exercise vary per person. Depending on their weight, size and overall fitness needs. But I was wondering if it is possible to achieve an adaquate weight workout in the area of 30 minutes?

yes

[GrayPatriot]

yes

+1.

I usually spend no more than 35 and I am friggin huge.. :p