Have you ever asked: Is it ok to workout 2 days in a row?
The answer is YES.
Yes. It’s definitely ok, safe, beneficial, and more to workout 2 days in a row. As a sedentary society we’re far too worried about “doing too much” physical activity. Our worries should be the reverse – doing too little – because we live in an environment designed to help us minimize walking and avoid strenuous effort.
Reality vs Fantasy
Usually people ask “can I workout 2 days in a row?” because the constraints of their schedule make this necessary. In other words their ideal is having a day in between 3 total body workouts per week, but their reality is 2 in a row, 1 off and 1 on, and 3 off. This is like any presidential election in that you must choose between available options not wished for options.
Bringing that back to fitness, if you’re picking between skipping a workout or training 2 (or even 3) days in a row, then I encourage you to choose being extra sore as a result of training multiple days in a row. Think about the math of “skipping just 1”: If you workout 2 days per week, then skipping 1 = skipping half your workouts for that week. And if you do 3 days per week, then skipping 1 = skipping 1/3rd. I do not know any human that can afford to skip that much.
Furthermore, if you were aiming for 4 workouts per week there is no way to get that done without at least 2 consecutive days in a week, and that extra day isn’t just OK, it’s a good thing.
What’s the worst that can happen?
You might get extra sore. Really, that’s it. I personally hate when my stomach muscles are sore and I have to train them hard again. To compensate, I’ve trained my 8 year old daughter to play one of my tiny violins and/or to tell me “suck it up buttercup!”
The sliver lining is that if you usually train on consecutive days you’re body will adapt quickly, and you’ll only be regular-sore vs extra.
How can I reduce my soreness?
In 3 words: walk it off. Seriously. Not ice, and especially not rest (physical inactivity). For your lower body in particular there is nothing as effective as walking for reducing your soreness. Yes, the first steps might be pretty rough, but motion is lotion and stillness breeds stiffness. 10 minutes is good, and more is usually better. And, yes, It is ok to walk for 10 min multiple times per day… actually, It’s better than “OK” to walk around for 10+ min several times per day. Getting enough steps is very important for your health and wellbeing even if you’re not very sore.
Bottom line
As a society we fear “overtraining” when we should be afraid of “over-resting” because that’s the biggest problem most humans face. To paraphrase JFK: Ask not what is too much exercise – ask what is too little.
This was a great question from a T180 lady. If you have questions you’d like to know more about please contact us.
Our family owned women’s only personal training studio is located just across the way from the Ballantyne Bowl and near your neighborhood Harris Teeter. You’ll find True 180 Personal Training for Women when looking for a ‘personal trainer near me’ in Charlotte, NC. Our personal trainers are here to guide you on your journey no matter your age or fitness level.
We offer small group training sessions, where you’ll enjoy a blend of individualized coaching and group camaraderie, together at a lower cost than you’d expect from standard personal training. And yes, it’s ok to workout 2 days in a row.