frequency of changing workouts?

[gcguiness]

My question for the day is how often should you change your workout plans to keep the body guessing, and intensity of the workout? I have been doing a 5x5 workout, lifting heavy to increase core muscle groups, should I alternate between that and perhaps switching out every few weeks to a high rep workout? Thanks for any advise....

[kaju]

There is no right answer. you can change every time you work out for that mater. But it is recommended you do one workout every 6 weeks then change. The east Germans done this to all there athletes. I read a book about there training and there steroid program. they were if anything but meticulous record keepers and documented everything they done. they changed work outs every 4 - 6 weeks for swimmers to cyclists to weightlifters. All athletes.

[gcguiness]

yes, Ive been lifting heavy as possible for the last 2 months or so, being that Im trying to build a good base. Just wondering if I should train for high reps for a spell, or just keep doing what I have been. I am seeing increased strength, as much as can be expected training natural at this point. I have been learning a great deal from the diet forum, and have put the cardio in high gear this week. Thanks kaju.

[hot stuff]

You'll want to read this!

Try this. I found it very interesting. It can be found at the top of the AAS board.

[gcguiness]

great link, will research it more... thanks hot stuff.

[kaju]

At this point in your game I would consider high rep work outs. First of all is because higher reps burn more calories and in turn burn more fat and this is something you said you wanted.
secondly you can make your nuscles grow doing high reps. (in the range of 15-20)
Third - at our age It is easier on our bodies. Less chance of injury because it is less stressful on our tendons ligaments and joints. In the beginning I say go high in reps untill you have strenghtened your tendons and ligaments then go heavy is say aobut 6 months to a year. depending on your body and your progress.

[gcguiness]

Thanks, theres so much to learn that I was unaware of when I started to lift again. I lifted weights in high school while i was amature boxing, but weight training was secondary to the boxing gym workout. Its kind of cool to learn new things about training your body in another physical activity. Thanks for the imput....

[kaju]

I used to box and still go to the boxing gym but the compition days are well behind me now. but if you used to box you know that some of the boxing exercises will burn that fat like crazy. I would recomend incorperating some of those old exercises into your cardio workouts. Jump rope, speedbag, heavy bag ect. Dude any body that has done these things before knows it is not for the week at heart.

[gcguiness]

Very true, I wished I had some of my old gym equipment, It would be alot easier to hit some heavy bags or speed bag. I used to jump rope, run, and do speed drills everyday, but lifting weights to increase body mass is something that was not a focus for me, due to it slowing down the reaction time of counter punching. We did minimal weight training in those days, 20+ years ago. Ahhh the good old days of getting punched in the face for fun..

[hot stuff]

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I remember!