Cavemantraining: How often should you do it?
People often ask me how often they should work out. I always ask them the same question: What type of training are we talking about? Is it heavy resistance training? Is it low impact cardio? Is it high intensity cardio? Perhaps a variation of resistance and cardiovascular exercises? Because different type of workouts come with different recovery needs.
I have found that a lot of people who exercise regularly seem to think that the more the better. Spin class in the morning, weights then running on the treadmill at night day after day. Are these gym junkies going to get fit? Most probably. Do they have a balanced life? I doubt it.
So what should we do to get as fit and strong (or stronger) as them?
The answer is high intensity circuit training with a variation of free weight, body weight, full body functional exercises. In short: Caveman Circuit.
30-45 minute work out. Heart rate above 80%. You push, you crawl, you drag, you throw, you lift, you swing, you try to survive another round.. No machines, no flat screen TV and cushy seats to sit on, no yawning personal trainer, no fashion contest.
When you train like this your metabolism will be elevated for long after you have finished working out. Your body will be depleted and your nerves system overloaded. Here is the good news though!
The fitter you get, the sooner your recovery will be complete.
In fact you would most probably overtrain if you did this every day. The recovery is an essential part of one’s fitness regime, just as crucial as the workout itself. Insufficient recovery will result in tiredness, lethargy, aches and a reduced ability to maintain mental focus.
When you take your training to the level of physical demand represented by Caveman Circuit you should ensure that your body gets rewarded the well deserved rest. It will appreciate it and in return it will continue to perform and to improve.
I recommend that you do no more than 3 of these sessions a week to avoid annoying little wear and tear type of small injuries (and big ones), to avoid being run down mentally and physically. But when you do come and train, bring your 100 percent and leave it all on the floor.