More damage than good? - JP Fitness Forums

Jenn Equestrian · 03-18-2008, 03:57 PM

I've been very good with getting my lifting in three times a week, but have a slight curiousity about my "off" days. On some of the days proceeding the days I lift, I have to go and ride (horses... ladies!!). Part of it is pleasure, but the other part is that it's a section in my equine exercise physiology and I need to be up applying programs, taking serum samples, muscle biopsies etc. and testing for results. My upper body and core don't feel it too much, but my legs (specifically in my hamstrings and adductors) definitely feel tighter and more fatigued while riding. Today I dropped my stirrups to work my legs a bit more and after a short bit I realized that Alwyn's program is kicking my ass lol. Deadlifts make sitting trot much more difficult the day after!

Which is why I'm curious if riding and using my legs like that after a lifting day may be detrimental to results in this program? Do you think it would hinder the muscle healing? Any advice (aside from don't ride)?

rixatrix · 03-18-2008, 05:32 PM

Are you feeling sore longer than two days after you lift?

I'm not a trainer, but in my mind, it's like - what are you going to do? Quit riding? Quit lifting? Maybe you'd see better gains if you did something differently (which could be true of all of us and any of our habits), but this is your life. Eat lots of protein, sleep hard (my favorite), and take an extra day off when you feel like you really need it. Otherwise, what are your options, really?

Lost Dog · 03-18-2008, 05:46 PM

What she said...

Those two activities can be managed, provided you get enough rest, eat enough, sleep, don't stress out all the time, etc. I'm not saying you're stressed! Now calm down!

There's optimum progress and scheduling and then there's doing the best with what you've got. Some people workout or train for something every day, practically. They can do it because they get enough downtime, food, and rest. Athletes might train twice a day, 6 days a week. Then play around with their friends on day 7.

If it becomes a problem, and if you're new to lifting, you could back down to two days per week of lifting and slowly build up to three days. You're body can take a lot, but it also takes ramping up to it.

Bytsi · 03-18-2008, 05:49 PM

I used to be a rider (eventing), so I understand what you're doing - and I can't even imagine sitting a trot after one of these workouts!

I do martial arts now, and there are definitely times when the workout takes a toll on my ability to do well in class. But, I consider it a major part of my life, and my interpretation of the book is that it's all part of being active in my life in general. If I'm so sore that I can't get through the day, then I would rest more. But while lifting is very important to me, it's not worth giving up everything else I enjoy... I think that healing can only go so far, short of lying in bed for two days after every lift - it's not like you're doing the equivalent of one of Alwyn's workouts on your "off" days.

Lost Dog · 03-18-2008, 06:22 PM

I forgot. Let's say you drop to two days a week, there's no reason why you have to stick to say a Mon/Thu schedule. Sometimes Mon, sometimes Tues, etc. Schedule your workouts around your riding. Do them the day after riding, instead?

Jenn Equestrian · 03-18-2008, 09:01 PM

Thanx for all your feedback!

lol... I'm an overloaded student, so stress is inevitable as well. I AM CALM!!! 24/7! JEESE!!! lol. Aside from the intermittent mental breakdowns, overloads and jitters before clinic exams, planning a wedding, selling my home and now looking for a new home, life is totally peachy man... not to mention a fiance who snores (am I the only woman tempted to smother the person beside her in bed at 3am in the morning?)

I'm actually not too sore anymore after workouts until I use the muscles... I wouldn't call it sore per se, but it's a fatigued/tight feeling that reminds me they've been worked. For right now, I'm going to stick with three times lifting and when I check my weight and BF at the end of the month I'll see how things are going. My body will also indicate if it's too much, and right now it's saying that it's working but not that it's strained or too stressed. Hopefully the 3x a week will impact the way my ass looks in riding pants (they show no mercy!).

PowerManDL · 03-19-2008, 07:20 AM

Sports training combined with "lifting weights" usually requires that the "lifting weights" aspect be modified with the sport in mind.

AnnetteW · 03-19-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rixatrix

Are you feeling sore longer than two days after you lift?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

What she said...

Those two activities can be managed, provided you get enough rest, eat enough, sleep, don't stress out all the time, etc. I'm not saying you're stressed! Now calm down!

There's optimum progress and scheduling and then there's doing the best with what you've got. Some people workout or train for something every day, practically. They can do it because they get enough downtime, food, and rest. Athletes might train twice a day, 6 days a week. Then play around with their friends on day 7.

If it becomes a problem, and if you're new to lifting, you could back down to two days per week of lifting and slowly build up to three days. You're body can take a lot, but it also takes ramping up to it.

OMG!!! and I've been wondering lately what is wrong with me. Just yesterday I accepted the fact that I am not capable of weights 3x a week, at least not heavy, and decided I will go down to 1x heavy (for me) and 1x light...and I won't even start that until I don't hurt.

I hurt all the time. I feel like I never recuperate. And then I get all kinked up and sore too.

I never had this problem when I was younger, but then again, I was never as consistent or worked as hard. And I've worked so hard and I feel like I'm going backwards.

And I don't even ride horses...

I love the exercises in NROL4W, but the intensity is too much for...and I don't think I'm just being a wimp. Time for me to cut back, let my body heal, and work out differently....moderate weight compound exercises (when I'm recovered) and cardio.

Thank you. (seems so logical)

rixatrix · 03-19-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnetteW

I hurt all the time. I feel like I never recuperate. And then I get all kinked up and sore too.

I used to have this problem too, but honestly the post-workout shakes have changed my life. That, and eating more. So much more energy when I'm eating 2000+ calories a day. But you know what's right for you - hang in there and get lots of sleep! The soreness will ease up, I promise.

Morkai · 03-19-2008, 09:59 AM

I do nrol4w workouts M, W, F, I ride english saddle on tuesday nights.

Rising trot is the evilest thats for sure. My teacher used to be a powerlifter though so she doesn't object when I pull into the center to let my quads ease off She thinks I'm nuts and am gonna kill myself at this rate but hey..

I look at it as bw endurance training

So far it doesn't seem to have hurt me at all. By wednesday nights workout I feel good to go again. On occasional weeks where I have missed my lesson due to rain etc I haven't really noticed that much difference on that Wednesday's workout.

I've even been contemplating adding another lesson in on Thursdays.