I have adopted a theory that doing a single set of each exercise 1-2 times a week is enough and that the diminishing returns from additional sets is large enough to make doing more than that a waste of time (especially for beginners/novices like myself).
I have no evidence to back this up and I have adopted this theory mostly because I have never really liked lifting weights much. It's the hanging around, repetitive part that I despise. But I've found that if I do 10-15 exercises (mostly dumbbells) for one set of 10-20 reps I don't mind it at all and almost enjoy it. I'm done in about 30 minutes during lunch and think I might be getting something out of it.
Is there any validity to my theory or am I wasting my time with this routine?
I have adopted a theory that doing a single set of each exercise 1-2 times a week is enough and that the diminishing returns from additional sets is large enough to make doing more than that a waste of time (especially for beginners/novices like myself).
I have no evidence to back this up and I have adopted this theory mostly because I have never really liked lifting weights much. It's the hanging around, repetitive part that I despise. But I've found that if I do 10-15 exercises (mostly dumbbells) for one set of 10-20 reps I don't mind it at all and almost enjoy it. I'm done in about 30 minutes during lunch and think I might be getting something out of it.
Is there any validity to my theory or am I wasting my time with this routine?
I agree 100%. Something is better than nothing! Do as much or as little as you feel like doing. There is no right/wrong answer. I also like to do "less". I have a VASA at home and I basically do the main 3 exercises in 20 minutes. (4 x 40 freestyles, 3 x 12 leg presses, and then 3 x 10 flys.) That's it! Then onto other mat/core work and stretching to complete my 1 hour home workout.
The most important thing is that you feel the effort put in is in line with the "reward". Could you do more reps, more weight, more exercises, more frequently? Absolutely! But why? No, seriously, why? You said it perfectly - diminishing return - and that is a very personal definition of what the return is.
I have adopted a theory that doing a single set of each exercise 1-2 times a week is enough and that the diminishing returns from additional sets is large enough to make doing more than that a waste of time (especially for beginners/novices like myself).
I have no evidence to back this up and I have adopted this theory mostly because I have never really liked lifting weights much. It's the hanging around, repetitive part that I despise. But I've found that if I do 10-15 exercises (mostly dumbbells) for one set of 10-20 reps I don't mind it at all and almost enjoy it. I'm done in about 30 minutes during lunch and think I might be getting something out of it.
Is there any validity to my theory or am I wasting my time with this routine?
I agree 100%. Something is better than nothing! Do as much or as little as you feel like doing. There is no right/wrong answer. I also like to do "less". I have a VASA at home and I basically do the main 3 exercises in 20 minutes. (4 x 40 freestyles, 3 x 12 leg presses, and then 3 x 10 flys.) That's it! Then onto other mat/core work and stretching to complete my 1 hour home workout.
The most important thing is that you feel the effort put in is in line with the "reward". Could you do more reps, more weight, more exercises, more frequently? Absolutely! But why? No, seriously, why? You said it perfectly - diminishing return - and that is a very personal definition of what the return is.
