Today was my Cheat Day. Yesterday was a Recovery Day. Tomorrow, I’ll be too busy for the gym. All of a sudden, it’s a new week and my main source of exercise was trying to get out of the Trader Joe’s parking lot– that is, until I summit Mt. Whitney or some other mountain.
The “Weekend Warrior” exercise approach– not necessary a specific plan– is worth contrasting to what could be called the “Daily Workout” routine. Granted, “daily” doesn’t literally mean each day. Most personal trainers recommend getting your heart rate elevated for a sustained period 4-5 times a week. However, it’s worth looking into the advantages, or disadvantages, of both approaches.
The Weekend Warrior approach involves intense exercise sessions packed into two days of the week, usually Sat-Sun, typically lasting 3 to 4 hours each. This could be an all-day hike, longer bike ride, etc. Basically, the idea is to cramp a week’s worth of recommended exercise into 2 days. While this may seem like a limited condensed burst of activity, it offers several benefits.
- Time Efficiency: For individuals with busy schedules, the Weekend Warrior approach can be appealing. By dedicating a significant portion of time to exercise on weekends, they can balance work, family, and other commitments during the week without sacrificing fitness goals.
- Intensity and Focus: Longer, less frequent workouts allow for intense, focused training sessions. Participants can push themselves to their limits, knowing they have ample recovery time before the next session. This can lead to improved strength, endurance, and overall performance.
- Flexibility: The Weekend Warrior approach offers flexibility in scheduling. Participants can choose which days to allocate for exercise based on their availability and preferences, providing a sense of autonomy and control over their fitness regimen.
In contrast, the “Daily”Workout plan (again, just most days) consists of shorter, more frequent exercise sessions, typically lasting 40 to 60 minutes, spread across five days of the week. This approach offers its own set of benefits:
- Consistency: Daily exercise promotes consistency and habit formation. By incorporating physical activity into their daily routine, participants are more likely to stick to their fitness goals long-term, leading to sustainable results and improved overall health.
- Metabolic Boost: Regular exercise throughout the week keeps the metabolism revved up, promoting calorie burn and fat loss. Short, daily workouts help maintain an elevated metabolic rate, even on rest days, contributing to weight management and improved body composition.
- Mental Well-being: Daily physical activity has been shown to have positive effects on mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. By carving out time for exercise each day, participants can experience enhanced mood, increased energy levels, and greater resilience to daily stressors.
While getting 8-10 hours of exercise per week is great, we often fall short and/or find ourselves rounding up how long we were actually working. Maybe Saturday’s “hike” was closer to 2 hours, instead of 4. Maybe we were at the gym for 60 minutes but really only breaking a sweat for 30. These things add up and before we can make changes, we have to be clear-eyed and make honest assessments. If you plan on being some kind of Weekend Warrior, but then last-minute plans change, you’ve actually lost a week’s worth of planned exercise.
Ultimately, the choice between the Weekend Warrior and Daily Workout approaches depends on individual preferences, goals, and lifestyle factors. Some may thrive on the intensity and flexibility of Weekend Warrior workouts, while others may prefer the consistency and daily routine of a Daily Workout plan.
Regardless of the approach chosen, it’s essential to listen to your body, prioritize recovery, and seek guidance from a qualified professional if needed. Consistency, dedication, and smart training practices are key to achieving wellness goals and leading a healthy, active lifestyle.
If you feel like you’ve plateaued with your transformation and exercise, schedule a consultation with my team today and let’s review your options together. You don’t have to do this alone.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey to a healthier, happier you.
