Training twice a day?

[indiegrrl]

I'm wondering if anyone trains twice per day? At present I run or swim or do a gym session (strength training) for 1 hour 6 days pw, and have been doing this for a couple of years. I'm loving the running, though, and it is edging other stuff out, which I realise is not nec so good for my body given that running is high impact (I've a longterm back issue, have great phyisio and go-ahead to run, but have to keep up yoga and pilates and strength training to avoid injury). So, I'm wondering about having a low-impact second session on my 4-5 running days - yoga, strength work or a swim. I don't have any real goals other than keeping fit and healthy - don't want to lose weight, am not into competing, so this is just for enjoyment and seeing my fitness improve overall. Has anyone else tried this, and if so, is it productive, are there things (e.g. need for diet tweaks, injury risks) to watch out for? Thanks.

Why not - I used to do 2 classes in a row at the gym and didn't have any problem, only needed a few sweets in between to give me the energy to go on. The only thing I'm aware of is not doing weight training two days in a row, I believe with cardio or toning/stretching, the more the better. I would expect you will need to either eat more or change what you eat slightly for the energy, but since it's not to lose weight, if you eat more calories and match what you're using up, there's no problem

I think if you feel like it you should give it a go.

My typical week is gym for mainly strength training mon/fri and kickboxing tues/weds/Thurs. I also try and add in a half hour swim and run if I can (so seven exercise sessions in total per week). Usually if I have time and say kickboxing in the morning has been more of a technique based class, rather than a challenging workout then I would run 5k in the evening, or squeeze in a swim. Sometimes though i am just too tired from the morning workout so I leave it. I really feel like adding yoga would be beneficial but just no time!

I have to say I'm not a huge fan of running on consecutive days as I worry about joint problems but think the key thing is to listen to your body and work on a day by day basis. If you get too exhausted your immune system will suffer and you'll start getting ill, so it's not worth forcing yourself to do it when you feel you are still recovering from an earlier session. Make sure you are eating properly after a workout too, to ensure good recovery and including plenty of protein in your diet.

I do sometimes if time and energy allows.

I will often do cardio in the morning in the form of a DVD, and then strength and toning in the afternoon, using my free weights or just body weight.

I workout 7 days a week, so if I've had a particularly tough morning session I don't bother in the afternoon.

I agree with Sleepwhenidie - allow your body time for recovery and get plenty of fluids and good healthy food!

Thanks, this is so useful and inspiring. Really great to hear about sensible ways of working out without upping my chances of injury!

Yes I often train twice a day, in fact tomorrow I have 3 things booked......spin in the morning, badminton at 5 and then pole at 8........its very do-able and I will have a rest day before training twice on thursday.

I do something every day although try and have one rest day a week.

BC (Before Children) I cycle-commuted 17 miles daily and still did circuits one night a week and horse riding a couple of nights a week. Sometimes when really keen I cycled straight to riding so that was 30 miles plus a ride.

Yes definately. I often run a 10k in the morning and then do a couple of classes in the evening. Yesterday for example was 10k am and circuits and zumba pm. The only thing I find hard is getting up at 530 to run and going to the gym late so the children are in bed.
Need to eat all the time though not to loose weight but am training for a marathon at the moment so I wont train like this for ever. I never run on consecutive days though as increases risk of injury so I use a spin bike instead inbetween days.