Anybody worked manual labor and still made good gains?

**Whiteboyy0** · 09-30-2013, 07:37 PM

The last 2 years I've drove forklifts but I just accepted a higher paying job in a steel mill. The only problem is its 60 hour weeks of hard manual labor, I plan on lifting before work and maybe some cardio before bed. Anybody been in this position and still made optimal gains

**DSM4Life** · 09-30-2013, 07:44 PM

See how long that working out before work lasts. I know first hand and it's very difficult. On one hand you want to workout but on the other your body needs the rest. It's like a never ending game of tug-a-war.

**austinite** · 09-30-2013, 07:50 PM

Hell yeah. Have you seen how much work Arnold did in Commando? Living in the countryside, chopping wood and all that jazz...

**ppwc1985** · 09-30-2013, 08:02 PM

It's hard but possible, I'm putting in between 60-70 hrs in five days. I get my workouts done on weekend and one during week. Sat am sun am than 12 midnight Sunday night. I still try to get 30-45 cardio during week but sometimes it just to Tiring. But as long as you get you workouts in and get rest yes you can make gains.

**ppwc1985** · 09-30-2013, 08:03 PM

Oh and agree with dsm, better to try after work because I tried before didn't work out to good.

**crazy mike** · 09-30-2013, 08:07 PM

As DSM mentioned you'll not last doing that after a while. Either the workout will get to be anything positive and or work will suffer and that's not good. Try lightening up on yourself. Build what you can on the weekends and make it or more enjoyable time and still get the benefits of some BB. Still maintaining a pump and hardness with a good look. Good luck ...crazy mile

**knuckles69** · 09-30-2013, 08:15 PM

I'm an arborist so I climb trees all day and cut them down with chainsaws then I go straight to the gym. I love it. Once you get used to the big hours you'll find you have lots of energy to lift

**EverettCD** · 09-30-2013, 08:50 PM

I agree with knuckles, once your body & mind condition to your new work schedule working out will not be an issue.

**Euroholic** · 09-30-2013, 09:56 PM

Yea sometimes we do 90-95 hours but mostly its 85ish. Do this for 4 weeks straight then i get 10 days off. In the hot pilbara sun it really takes it out of you. You just have to find a drive and really push your self you only need about 6 hours sleep a night. I go to sleep at 9pm and get up at 3am for gym. after a while you get use to it. it becomes second nature. I herd jay cutler say he sleeps 5 hours a night.

**Metalject** · 10-01-2013, 12:01 AM

The best I ever looked in my life I was working construction, writing and personal training on the side and training every day cardio and/or weights along with a full blown contest diet. Yep, it nearly killed me but yes, it's very possible. Thank you steroids .

AD · 10-01-2013, 01:02 AM

if i were doing hard manual labor 60hrs a wk, i'll probably forget about cardio.

**Euroholic** · 10-01-2013, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by AD

if i were doing hard manual labor 60hrs a wk, i'll probably forget about cardio.

Cardio is over rated anyway!!!!!

**Whiteboyy0** · 10-01-2013, 06:23 AM

Thanks guys ill see how it goes. Shit I need to go back to school.

**diesel101** · 10-01-2013, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by AD

if i were doing hard manual labor 60hrs a wk, i'll probably forget about cardio.

If I were doing hard manual labor 60 hrs a week I would find a different job!

AD · 10-01-2013, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by diesel101

If I were doing hard manual labor 60 hrs a week I would find a different job!

If the pay is BLOODY good, I may stick with it for a while. Think about it, you get to skip cardio

**Whiteboyy0** · 10-01-2013, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by AD

If the pay is BLOODY good, I may stick with it for a while. Think about it, you get to skip cardio

No it's poverty wages, 11.50 an hour. I'm only 21 but that's terrible money.

**ironbeck** · 10-01-2013, 07:16 AM

If your 21 then no problems, you can handle that load consistently until you are in your early 30's.

**Dpyle** · 10-01-2013, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by Whiteboyy0

No it's poverty wages, 11.50 an hour. I'm only 21 but that's terrible money.

That's not bad depending on the area. Here in my town a majority of warehouse/factory and construction jobs are starting around 9-10/hr, and I know of several places that require a degree that are starting people at that same rate.

I work a similar schedule and work load and have been close to 11%bf with no cardio. It's not necessary with the right diet, but throwing some in would allow more leeway in your diet.

**JinNtonic** · 10-01-2013, 07:30 AM

I work 50-60 hours a week. It does make it hard to get motivated to work out. But it isn't impossible.

**Xaxist** · 10-01-2013, 08:26 AM

You just gotta eat like a damn horse. When I was that age I had a tough job like that but grew like a beast. Good times, wish I could still eat like that, lol.

**Cuz** · 10-01-2013, 08:57 AM

I used to work in a wood mill and I couldn't get above 198 at 12%, this was in my early twenties. SO, it was hard to be massive and lift lumber and shit all day, very hot summers also. Now I only work about 40 hours a week, im off most days by 2 o clock. Then I lift, and I am bigger now.

**O P** · 10-01-2013, 07:07 PM

I ended up getting bigger forearms. Just make sure you eat and sleep enough.

**knuckles69** · 10-01-2013, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

Yea sometimes we do 90-95 hours but mostly its 85ish. Do this for 4 weeks straight then i get 10 days off. In the hot pilbara sun it really takes it out of you. You just have to find a drive and really push your self you only need about 6 hours sleep a night. I go to sleep at 9pm and get up at 3am for gym. after a while you get use to it. it becomes second nature. I herd jay cutler say he sleeps 5 hours a night.

Although I didn't do that many hours I lived I'm Darwin for a while and when build up comes you want to neck yourself so I understand how heat affects you

**Euroholic** · 10-01-2013, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by knuckles69

Although I didn't do that many hours I lived I'm Darwin for a while and when build up comes you want to neck yourself so I understand how heat affects you

Ya i worked up there for 3 months. 28 degress at 5 in the morning!!!!!!

**Brett N** · 10-02-2013, 03:11 PM

I work as a stone and brick mason 40 plus hours a week. I get my workout in before work and let my body feel tired all day at work. I have been doing it for near 16 years and my body has gotten very used to it. Sucks getting up at 3:45 every morning to workout but it is far better than working outside in 100 degrees and then coming home to workout.

I do any cardio after work now. Once your body gets used to the manual labor, it's just like anything else.

Good gains is very broad question though. I have made gains and have yet to cycle. My gains have been solid even though I have been eating below TDEE. If I wasn't overweight and could eat more, I would imagine my gains would be very good.

**Docd187123** · 10-02-2013, 03:39 PM

It's very doable. You may need to adjust your training and diet but there's nothing holding you back besides will power

**Mp859** · 10-02-2013, 03:49 PM

Work 60hrs a week drilling water wells and continue to make gains. Just depends on diet,sleep,training and how bad you want it.

6am-6pm only way I can do it is get off eat pre packed food head home and change then head to the gym.

BG · 10-02-2013, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mp859

Work 60hrs a week drilling water wells and continue to make gains. Just depends on diet,sleep,training and how bad you want it.

6am-6pm only way I can do it is get off eat pre packed food head home and change then head to the gym.

Really, I well drilled from when I was 15 to 21. Any mud rotary? I used to wear out a shovel a day digging out the tubs. Now Im an electrician, its not easy working hard and training. Competing is nearly impossible.

**Zodiac82** · 10-02-2013, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by BG

Really, I well drilled from when I was 15 to 21. Any mud rotary? I used to wear out a shovel a day digging out the tubs. Now Im an electrician, its not easy working hard and training. Competing is nearly impossible.

electrician as well...work a 6-2... I find time to workout...but it gets hard....fighting wanting to workout or just go home and relax

it can be done...just have to be dedicated

**Mp859** · 10-02-2013, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by BG

Really, I well drilled from when I was 15 to 21. Any mud rotary? I used to wear out a shovel a day digging out the tubs. Now Im an electrician, its not easy working hard and training. Competing is nearly impossible.

Yeah mud rotary,air rotary,flooded reverse. My family owns a company out here in California we do a little bit of it all. Luckily we have a shaker for when we are mud drilling so all I have to do is move cuttings with a tractor

**knuckles69** · 10-02-2013, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Euroholic

Ya i worked up there for 3 months. 28 degress at 5 in the morning!!!!!!

i loved it. Always in shorts and a singlet. Now I'm in freezing Canada lol

**gearbox** · 10-02-2013, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by Whiteboyy0

The last 2 years I've drove forklifts but I just accepted a higher paying job in a steel mill. The only problem is its 60 hour weeks of hard manual labor, I plan on lifting before work and maybe some cardio before bed. Anybody been in this position and still made optimal gains

you can make gains if you get enough sleep and you can eat appropriately during the day. I think the job is actually better to a degree cause it burns more calories during the day. (to a degree)