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?
Parents
Former Member
Herb,
As a beginner, almost anything you do in the gym will be effective. As long as you are preforming the exercises correctly, and you muscles are warmed up before you lift anything heavy, enjoy your workout.
It is the stage after beginner that gets more difficult, when thinking about how you train becomes more important, if you want to continue to progress. If you hit a plateau and you are happy where you are, you can stick with what got you there and you should have no trouble staying there.
Herb,
As a beginner, almost anything you do in the gym will be effective. As long as you are preforming the exercises correctly, and you muscles are warmed up before you lift anything heavy, enjoy your workout.
It is the stage after beginner that gets more difficult, when thinking about how you train becomes more important, if you want to continue to progress. If you hit a plateau and you are happy where you are, you can stick with what got you there and you should have no trouble staying there.
