AboutJoe Gunn Expertise Anything related to strength training, long distance running, speed development for all sports, and weight loss issues.
Experience Over 30 years as a personal trainer of athletes as well as average individuals.
Organizations Certified strength and Conditioning Specialist with the the National Strength and Conditiong Association. Certified Club coach with the United States Weightlifting Association. Certifed Level II long distance coach with the USA Track & Field.
Education/Credentials M.S with majors in exercise science and psychology
Expert: Joe Gunn Date: 12/13/2007 Subject: low intensity lifts-reg
Question How many days a week do I need to lift weights, if I work out only for 20 minutes? I'm not interested in bulky muscles, but only basic toning of the body and the abs. So I do basic exercises like bench press & overhead press for 15 mins, followed by ab exercises for another 10-15 minutes. I'm controlling my diet and I walk half an hour daily.
Considering my goal mentioned above, if I want to stick to only basic low intensity lifting, and if I want to spend only 20 minutes lifting weights, how many days a week should I lift? Currently I do it for 6 days a week. I suppose the 3 day workout is for who are heavily into weight training.
Kindly advice.
Answer If you are only using very light weights then you are probably ok to lift daily although you are not stressing the muscles sufficiently to improve strength. I would suggest doing 2 sets of 10-12 reps per exercise with 1 min rest between sets 3 days a week. If you did bench press, lat pull, leg press, curls, and ab work, it should take only about 20 minutes. The walking is good...keep it up.
