Is 3-4 hours of exercise a day too much?

Question

If I have a different type of exercise (weights, bicycling, etc.) every 45 minutes? If it's too much, how many hours of exercising a day would be the maximum, so you wouldn't come even close to exercising anorexia? And if it is too much, CHILL, I didn't start any routine of exercising that much yet. I want your opinion first. Also, do you have any tips of exercising? Of any type? I am quite inexperienced.

By the way I am 13 years old.

Because I am 13 years old I cannot join the gym. However, I have two 5 lb. weights, a workout thing where you can do leg-ups and sit-ups and some tree-hanging stuff, and a bike.

Answer 1

Well for starters I am not a professional and I'm not in the greatest shape however I do get compliments and I am pretty strong for my size and weight. I've tried many different exercises routines, once a day, twice a day, three times a day. Three times a week to five days a week. It really depends on what your goal is. I have found equal, if not better, results working out one hour a day three times a week of course I wasn't able to hit as many muscle groups in that amount of time. If you have the time and your willing do it.

I would personally recommend one to two hours three days a week. But it really depends on you and what works best for you.

Now I know I said that I used to work out three times a day five times a week, for me, I found it to be a waste of time for strength, I've better result when I took more time off.

For losing weight I highly suggest cardio exercises and weight training, 3 to 4 sets doing 12-8 repetitions. Ask some at the gym and to assist you and show how to properly use the equipment, don't be shy or embarrassed, your there to better yourself, most people would be happy to assist you. You can also read magazines such as men's fitness or other similar literature. You don't have to buy a bunch of mags most say the same thing with different pictures.

Answer 2

More is not better, BETTER is better...

That sounds dumb, but the point is that what works for you may not work for the next person. The best routine in the world is one you will stay on!

Join a nice gym, usually it includes an orientation session with a personal trainer. Take advantage of it, learn about all the equipment and classes.

For new clients I like to start them with a 3x a week full body weight training routine, 21 working sets, vary the exercises from day to day, don't go too heavy, but you should know that you are working. You should have an experienced person show you good form and how to judge weight. DO NOT LISTEN TO THE HIGH REP = TONE CROWD, that's not a good use of your time. Just do your 18-21 sets (6 exercises, 3 sets each, 10-12 reps per set, when you get to the last rep you should NOT be at 100% failure, that's dangerous)

Anyhow, when you get done with your weights, go do 45 minutes of cardio work. 10 mins warm-up, 30 minutes in the 75% range then 5 minute cool down.

On your off days you can do some cardio if you want to accelerate your program, but be sure to take a day or two off every week.

Answer 3

Yeah it is too much. As a beginner it is a good idea to start with 3 times a week plan. It would look like this:

Monday - exercise
Tuesday - off
Wendsday - exercise
Thursday - off
Friday - exercise
Saturday - off
Sunday - off

You can start on Tuesday or any other day you get the idea.
If you like cardio you can do it on your days off. You can walk or bicycle or maybe some light jugging if you are not overweight for no more then 30 minutes.

When it comes to lifting weights find a program with compound, multi-joint movements. Stay away from isolation exercises for small muscle groups like dumbbell triceps kickbacks, one arm dumbbell concentration curls and or crunches. For example, if you can't do 3x10 chin-ups with your body weight this is where you want to spend your time instead of doing crunches or calf raises. If you can't barbell squat and or deadlift your body weight spend your time on those instead of pec deck flys, etc.

Answer 4

If you break it up like two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening then no it is not bad make sure you are eating correct and atleast 6 small meals a day if you want a routine that hard you need to look into what needs to be done to achive max results most of all take care of yourself

Answer 5

If you are inexperiences, start SLOW. 30 minutes a day is a good place to start. Depending on your age, your regimen COULD be way too much. Too much exercise at a young age can stunt your growth and development. Make sure you are eating enough to balance the extra workout, as well. You need to feed your bones and your muscles to stay healthy.

If you start out too much too early, you might burn yourself out and end up not exercising at all! So start slow, and be realistic about your goals.

Answer 6

That is a little too much. I usually exercise 1-2 hours a day and that seems like too much. Any excersising tip is too ALWAYS stretch before u do any any exercises. U could really hurt urself or pull a muscle.

Answer 7

it depends on how old you are, teenagers need to get AT LEAST an hour of physical actvity everyday or 5 times a week. im 14 and i did 90 minutes of just track alone. then there's gym class and exercissing i did on my own! so i got like 2 hours everyday. but now that its summer i only do an hour a day. but do how much makes you feel good but dont faint doing it.

Answer 8

yes it is it shouldn't be so ivegorating you could really hurt yourself

Answer 9

max an hour. don't work TOO hard! not good. at all. really.

Answer 10

Nah, not if it makes you feel good.