Is Going to the Gym “Too Much” a Thing?

Resident_Night8107 · 2021-06-07T01:06:03+00:00

Crabs in a bucket dude. I deal with the same thing and I only go 4 days a week, but I’m also active in martial arts the other 3 days. People will often use you as a mirror for themselves and your dedication, ambition, and drive might be making them self conscious. I recognize that I have an addictive personality so I’ve traded out my unhealthy addictions for healthy productive ones and I see no shame in that. The only instance of going to the gym “too much” would be when it starts to affect your recovery therefore getting in the way of YOUR OWN goals. Keep up the hard work!

AdamLakewood87 · 2021-06-07T01:17:49+00:00

Listen I’m in Canada / Toronto and the gyms have been closed since March 2020, you are privileged. Anyone who says you go to the gym too much probably doesn’t go to the gym themselves - ask them “well how else do you suggest I improve myself with the spare time I’d have”

elliot6440 · 2021-06-07T01:07:15+00:00

They literally teach you to go to the gym when you face trauma, I would know I have PTSD. PTSD is legit the ultimate way of learning to 'recope' with things. Its the healthiest way to deal with things. Its not about avoiding/coping but its about the dopamine and other factors about physical and mental improvement.

Maybe you talk about the gym to much. I have had situations where people get annoyed about me talking about it. But those people I pushed out anyway. Flex yourself and feel good about your improvements. I have a guy/girl mates who sends me weekly physical updates and me vise versa. We talk about routines and different ways we can smash the gym harder.

Only negative thing I could think of is make sure you take a rest day, get enough sleep which if you're gyming alot will happen on its own I hope. Also vitamins / protein so you can recover nicely (this is kind of a push though as its not exactly needed). Also as long as you're not taking steroids or something, than my advise would be to go crazy with it.

These people could also be coping with the fact that you're bigger/stronger than them. I had mates when I was large/fat and did not lift that I remember walking up to and saying "I will be stronger and larger physically than you in xyz time". Guess what. I am.. Yeah I probs should not have done that, they laughed at the time. But now I gym with these guys too and we spot eachother.

breakupstrategy · 2021-06-07T01:29:18+00:00

“I think you go to the gym too much”

“Cheers mate. I enjoy it. Have a good arvo”

athrowaway-9001 · 2021-06-07T01:09:32+00:00

All crabs in a bucket.

People are resistant to change and especially so when you are no longer the vision of the person they have in their head of you. They want everybody in their head to be filed neatly in a cabinet in their head and when something is out of place-- they will say something.

Carry on with your self improving hobby and ignore the neigh sayers.

RetractElm · 2021-06-07T02:27:30+00:00

For the most part, unless you’re injecting copious of exogenous androgens for no other reason than to look good on Instagram(without monetizing)... Then you’re dedication is fine... People are expressing their insecurities, and putting them on you...

Jesserod_ · 2021-06-07T02:17:17+00:00

I would check them for saying some stupid shit like that , these are all people who watch a bunch of tv and Netflix or fucking around on the internet! For 6 hrs a day not week I can see the Fucking Nelson ratings! so I know there tuning in every fucken night. Let them know it increases ur bloodflow n makes ur cock harder and look more pumped.

e36masterrace · 2021-06-07T06:16:12+00:00

Go in accordance with how much your body can handle - overtraining is a real thing. The all in motivational crap that you must always give 101% of yourself in every training session are bullshit and you must take what you can handle.

I make my training sessions at 60-70% of my max potential, otherwise I feel like total trash, no mood for the next 2 days (literally none), no sex drive nothing. And the only time I feel good is if I don't train or train less. I don't think this is normal but I haven't checked myself properly yet, but you get the point. You can overtrain just don't let that happen.

319Skew · 2021-06-07T02:42:35+00:00

You're improving your health and appearance while enjoying it.

Hearing "too much gym" makes as much sense as breathing air that's "too clean".

ChadBreeder1 · 2021-06-07T02:58:12+00:00

Beta males/females trying to feminize you. This is what our society has come to. Sad. Get fucking huge to the point where they know not to fucking question you. You’re not big enough. Keep growing, brother.

catz123456 · 2021-06-07T01:31:37+00:00

Some people use it to cope but they're not usually the ones making progress. They're usually the ones with deeper issues/go to get away. Progress is the driving factor and the fact you're making progress makes it the best part of your day. Nothing wrong with that as long as you have some kind of balance in the rest of your life going.

Illustrious-Bank5 · 2021-06-07T01:53:08+00:00

Everyone has something they are super addicted to. Better be a gym regime than pot.

ClickKlakk · 2021-06-07T02:06:00+00:00

I’ve been through this. They just feel bad at the mere thought of how much you work out and how much they slack. Ignore it. Laugh at it.

Efficient_Film_149 · 2021-06-07T02:28:11+00:00

Crabs. Realistically could be a thing, could be spinning your wheels if not resting properly.

Whisper · 2021-06-07T04:08:02+00:00

Do your joints hurt a lot?

No?

Then you aren't lifting too much.

Fourth_Rose · 2021-06-07T04:21:46+00:00

Only in this modern age is being healthy and fit considered a bad thing. This is mostly a crabs in a bucket mentality. As long you don't act like a dudebro whose only conversational topics are his biceps and his bench press max, you'll be fine.

vandaalen · 2021-06-07T09:14:39+00:00

Lazy fucks. Just flex and grin. Who gives a fuck about some losers' opinion?

RedEyeBlackEye1 · 2021-06-07T10:40:28+00:00

Haters gonna hate, it's what they do.

As long as:

1) you don't think you're going too much.

2) you are seeing MAJOR self Improvement with your physique.

3) you are seeing MAJOR Improvement in how these hoes treat/respond to your presence.

4) you are seeing MAJOR Improvement in your strength(speed? power?).

Than the answer is no, you're not going too much. It's more like motherfuckers on some insecure, jealous, hater-time.

Edit: just 4 sticking points to self reflect(internally) on, homie.

NexusReflexX · 2021-06-07T21:01:00+00:00

Shit, if only everyone used the gym as their vice. Being addicted to the gym, while yes there could be some deep rooted issues there, is not as harmful as being addicted to other things, like girls, video games, a drink after work, heroin.

Those people who say u go too much just wish they had the drive to do the same.

SeasonedRP · 2021-06-07T21:22:25+00:00

It depends what your goals are. Don't let other people influence that. If you are making progress on your current training program and your life is otherwise in check, I don't see why you'd want to change anything.

Out0fC0nt3xt · 2021-06-07T02:20:36+00:00

Absolutely nothing wrong with using the gym as a coping mechanism or "vice" (it's not a vice. Drugs, alcohol, and video games are vices). With that said, 6 days sounds like a lot to me as a powerlifter. You likely have some mild chronic fatigue going on that you don't notice. I speak from experience, as I used to train like a bodybuilder with a 6 day PPL split. It's probably not optimal for strength progression, but if hypertrophy is your goal, you're not always making yourself sore and fatigued, and you enjoy it, knock yourself out.

cj802 · 2021-06-07T07:28:07+00:00

gym is healthy, gym is good, but you can have too much of a good thing.

If you lacking behind in other aspects of your life, like most importantly wealth; but also lifestyle, social circle, family. You might want to reduce it.

3 or even 2 split HIT or cycle training (3-2x a week) @ 45-60min / session is enough if its just a hobby. If you just want to keep in shape , once a week HIT / circle training , full body workout is enough.

If you realy love then keep your schedule, but never neglet wealth & social circle, its not worth it. Only if you re a person trainer or a professional athlete of course.

Its also very Taxing for the Mind.

Had the same issue not recognizing it, was going 3x week gym & MMA & some sprint interval training, for like 6 years.

had only little time left for everything else but i loved it.

So after recognizing this hunch, i reduced to 1x week gym & Sprints (stopped MMA) and my life improved like at least 100x especialy lovelife and social circle but also my grades at university.

So yeah it realy depends. 3x week , HIT split traing @ 1h is more then enough if You want to spend more time on ther things.

& like previously mentioned if you re already in gpod shape and want to change your main focus on wealth or else, 1x week full body high intensity (interval) (or cicle) workout is more then enough to keep in shape, of course you will sacrifice gainz.

Good luck

WeDontLetHateWin · 2021-06-07T02:23:55+00:00

Do you know how many times I've heard this? Of course we're using it as coping mechanism. We put heavy shit up and down to deal with our misfortunes. I go every day 7 days a week, also got into boxing and mma so will be splitting my time to avoid fatigue.

But crabs in a bucket.

mrsmiley831 · 2021-06-07T03:37:34+00:00

Just remember to take a deload week once in awhile. I'm in the same boat as you, totally addicted to going to the gym. I have worked out 9 days in a row and still don't want to take a rest day. I have to force myself to take rest days. Mind you I'm on gear, so YMMV.

hulkphd · 2021-06-07T03:40:21+00:00

If you're training properly you can make ample progress on a 4 day split.

PCMRworsethanRgaming · 2021-06-07T04:01:24+00:00

Pushing 2 hours yes. Unless you're doing 45 mins of cardio your sessions shouldn't be going over 1:15

GambinosDisciple · 2021-06-07T04:22:53+00:00

If you want to maximize gains you should have 1-2 rest days were you either do not go to the gym, or just do some light cardio. Also, if you're spending more than 3 hours in the gym, you're either slacking off, or doing the most. I'd recommend doing 12-20 sets a week for each muscle group, hitting each muscle group 2x a week. Obviously try to eat clean foods, get 1g of protein per lb of body weight, eat 4-6x a day, and stay in a calorie surplus or deficit depending of your objective. I divide my calories in 60%C, 25 P, 15%F, carbs are key man never cut them out no matter the time or whatever.

Using the gym as a coping mechanism is ok, but I personally don't think is worth over training and leaving gains in the table even for the sake of coping. Progress should be your coping vehicle, try to progress on most aspects, financially, mentally, socially, etc. not just physically. Read books, study philosophy, create multiple streams of income (legally), aspire to be more virtous; these things will also help you cope.

Hope this helps, keep the gains going.

TheOffice_Account · 2021-06-07T04:24:34+00:00

using it as some sort of vice

Would they prefer that you use alcohol? Nicotine? Something else?

SMH. People are just jealous, bro. Just keep doing your shit.

-since · 2021-06-07T04:53:00+00:00

90% of the time its crabs in a bucket, but 10% of the time, there is merit to limiting gym hours- time efficiency

Rest

It is so important guys. Recharge with some downtime, let your body repair, take a break sometimes.

You are not building muscle when you are ripping them apart at the gym, or when you are eating beef. You are getting stronger when your body is in rest and repair mode, in a deep state of recovery.

I used to do PPL or fullbody and really push it 3x a week. Any more than that and you're gonna see significant diminishing returns. So much so, that it didn't make much sense to come in the other 4 days of the week.

If you feel you still have room to gain / some extra time, go for it. Otherwise, use your time more wisely.

Rest is critical.

wriley · 2021-06-07T04:59:22+00:00

Go to the gym as much or as little as you want. Don’t think about it ever again. But yes you go way too much. Just go enjoy life. Gym rats are always sad single old dudes.

mraees93 · 2021-06-07T05:04:19+00:00

As long as you're not looking in the mirror, flexing all the time and telling everyone including your grandma about highest weight you lifted. It's not too much

kellykebab · 2021-06-07T05:11:06+00:00

How would other people know if it's a "coping mechanism" better than you? Especially when we don't know very many details of your life.

Do you think it's a coping mechanism?

Even if it is, who cares? Literally everything is a coping mechanism to some degree to avoid just sitting around thinking about death. Unless you're going to the gym so much that it's interfering with other activities that you want to do or you're getting injured, I can't imagine why this would be a problem.

Don't psychoanalyze yourself into a neurotic mess when there isn't actually a problem. And certainly not because of other people's uninformed opinions.

waste2muchtime · 2021-06-07T05:22:26+00:00

Gym is great man, just try to branch out and do other things too.

Maybe take up some martial arts, or some other hobby.

Nothing wrong with gym though.

Sonic_Uth · 2021-06-07T05:27:42+00:00

They’re probably somewhat right and it means literally nothing. Keep going and improving yourself. You’re GOAT level, keep it going

TheGreatestSpice · 2021-06-07T05:28:21+00:00

People who are jealous of successful people will always try to put them down and gaslight them. I get the same and I just tell them they should go to the gym more 😂

aer95 · 2021-06-07T06:07:16+00:00

People that say that are just wishing they had the motivation to keep up with their health and looks. I’ve been off work for a little over a month now and I’ve been basically hitting the gym or running everyday and I love it. I wish I had the time to go this much normally. Even if you are using it as a coping mechanism it’s probably the best one there is because it’s a self improving habit and not a bad one

_-resonance-_ · 2021-06-07T06:30:29+00:00

Haha going to the gym too much. Just don’t undereat.

LogicalOlive · 2021-06-07T06:32:37+00:00

If you’re under 25 no

btt069 · 2021-06-07T06:39:51+00:00

Think like this, going to the gym ain't gonna be bad in any way, you will get gains either way if you are going for coping or for working out.
There always be nay sayers. We here on TRP get it bro, you do what you do, I too exactly do PPL spilt (rn in home tho). But its like I have to do it. Its a part of my lifestyle and nobody is gonna say nothing that will make be abandon it. Keep it tight homie.

beefstockcube · 2021-06-07T06:47:44+00:00

Herion, weed, booze, food - all things you can have too much of.

Self-improvement ie: the Gym providing your body recovers is fine.

KirthWGersen · 2021-06-07T06:56:13+00:00

As addictions go, it is far from the worst.

Better than spending the same amount of time watching porn or drinking in a bar.

mern55 · 2021-06-07T07:22:51+00:00

there are basicaly 2options:

1 You talk about it constantly and its annoying

2 you're doing a good job and people feel insecure

as someone who's been a into martial arts and a gym rat for over a decade i've seen many examples or eatch...the #1 guys are the worst as the conversation often goes somehing like this: "what a nice day ain't it?" "i bench 120" "did you see that new movie?" "let me show you how you need to do your uppercut" "wanna go talk to those chicks over there?" "wanna see my shirtless pics?" gives up and walks away

whats worse is that its always the rookies that do that.

Zombiespire · 2021-06-07T08:33:31+00:00

Yes there is. There is a reason I developed shin splints, and there is a reason my fucked elbow has fucked me out of two months of lifting. Because I overdid it, went too hard.

marowitt · 2021-06-07T09:47:43+00:00

Crabs in a bucket shit.
They don't have what it takes to do it themselves.

6 days might be a bit to much for your body, but as long as you feel rested and keep seeing progress keep it up.
As long as it doesn't eat up so much time that you start to see you're losing control of other things in your life you're doing fine.

Some people meditate, some go to church, you go to the gym.
Welcome to the real men club, fuck what ever those weaklings say.

TheSmile_10 · 2021-06-07T09:48:40+00:00

No you are good. If you start to get ill easily or have other physical problems then do a deload for a couple of weeks.

Now, as an ex elite powerlifter I would recommend 1-2 weeks COMPLETELY off training every 3-4 months. This is if you lift heavy weights and train intensly, you can still do light cardio during these periods.

Kenchikka00 · 2021-06-07T09:55:08+00:00

i‘m a weightlifter and i do bodybuilding on the side. the gym is a place to socialise with a second family. i know everyone. out of the 18 hours i spend there every week, 6 are probably wasted talking

iateadonut · 2021-06-07T10:56:35+00:00

Not only is it a good way to deal with stress, but it is also a good thing to do with your testosterone.

Going to the gym too much is a thing... but only if it's increasing your distress or decreasing your testosterone. I wouldn't worry about it otherwise.

Maybe people are telling you that you talk about the gym too much.

1tayg3r · 2021-06-07T11:05:10+00:00

Stop giving a fuck about what they think

thegreyone3000 · 2021-06-07T11:45:15+00:00

Depends on the person. If you’re doing more than 90 minutes 6 days a week just for the sake of it then you need to have a word with yourself.

If it’s for a purpose, like you’re training for some type of sport or event then go for it.

What I mean by “the sake of it” is purely for vanity reasons basically, as in to “look good” because honestly? You can look better than 90% of guys just from 40 minutes 3-4 days per week. Remember, diet is more important than exercise when it comes to looks.

MattyAnon · 2021-06-07T11:50:07+00:00

Is this even a concern? Is this crabs in a bucket shit or am I legitimately using the gym as some sort of coping mechanism?

Crabs in a bucket. 6-12 hours a week is fine.

TheBunk_TB · 2021-06-07T12:04:03+00:00

"crabs in a bucket shit"

As long as you are taking care of yourself (and not causing rpm or over use injuries), good on you.

I have had a few low end people (aka excuse making p*ssies) say shit like that.

Im not a great example of physical specimens but I do more to take care of myself than many people. I run at lunch breaks and go to the gym nearly 5-6 days a week. (outside of illness).

I have made an argument that the gym is called "The Church of The Iron Bar". It is good for the body and the mental wellbeing. Booze didnt do that for me. I found healthier people at the Church of The Iron Bar more than the actual bar.

boy_named_su · 2021-06-07T12:38:03+00:00

stop talking about how much you go to the gym, and people will stop complaining

TheChocolateBarsGuy · 2021-06-07T13:13:06+00:00

You don't need a 6 days ppl.

Prefer 3 day ppl and the other 3 days working on GPP and cardio/endurance.

Starting caring for your overall health not just muscles and strength.

UEMcGill · 2021-06-07T13:45:42+00:00

am I legitimately using the gym as some sort of coping mechanism?

Of course you are. I couldn't think of a better way to cope with life than praying at the iron temple. Why wouldn't you use the gym as a coping mechanism?

When people say stuff like this it's a reflection of their choices and what they want to feel. There's a lady in my neighborhood who is probably a text book case of Orthorexia. She'll literally bring weights to kids sports games and do lunges and shit. Now I could walk over to her and lay some bro-science on her and talk about her Macros or how she isn't lifting heavy enough because she's skinny-fat, but in her eyes she already feels superior to me and would scoff at any of my suggestions. Plus the only one I'd be trying to benefit is me because I needed some reason to either make her feel bad for what she's doing or make myself feel better for it. In the end she would double down on her stance, and think I was an asshole.

Sin-Silver · 2021-06-07T13:54:11+00:00

The gym is definitely beneficial to you, no doubt, however, you need to be the judge on whether or not you need to be spending more time wisely.

If your struggling to pick up girls, but you already have the body of an Adonis, then you probebly need to focus on your sense of style, conversation skills, etc, rather than your bulk or physique.

Similarly, if your in debt, or are struggling with work/university, then the gym isn't going to help you beyond improving your physical and mental well being.

Don_Draper27 · 2021-06-07T14:01:11+00:00

I think it's nearly impossible to not have any obsessions / habits. You can live like the Buddha, but then you can argue that he had meditation and mindfulness.

This is why it's suggested to replace bad habits with good ones. Replace porn with gym, replace cigarettes with meditation, etc.

The only thing you should be listening to is your body. Just as long as your nutrition is on point and you aren't creating any muscle imbalances, you're good.

ItalianStallion4545 · 2021-06-07T14:08:28+00:00

Going to the gym every day is certainly not excessive. But if you are spending more than 1.5 hours there, you are probably doing a bunch of bullshit accessory exercises that you don’t need. Keep the PPL split, but stick to the basic compound lifts. Dudes spend 2 hours in the gym hopping from machine to machine, when really that’s just totally unnecessary. Make your workouts more efficient.

I know this because I am you. I’ve had to correct myself on this. I can spend 3 hours in the gym like it’s nothing, but most of that time is wasted.

midgetpooooo · 2021-06-07T14:34:25+00:00

You have to make sure you get rest and if you're eating a lot then to not overstress your liver which is more important than your muscles.

i-am-the-prize · 2021-06-07T14:40:43+00:00

ignore them. they simply are shamed by your ability to execute and act.

even if you are 'addicted' to the gym, good. being addicted to something/somewhere which provides positive feedback and self-reinforcing benefits is a dream addiction. do deload. do not get hurt. you'll be in a bad spot if you are injured, that's the downside of your addiction. so learn to take breaks.

bumbuff · 2021-06-07T16:03:23+00:00

1) They're projecting their insecurities onto you. You do you so long as you think you're doing it right.

2) Crabs in a bucket

3) Lifting is a known coping mechanism for a lot of reasons - including coping with the regret of past bad choices.

PhaedrusHunt · 2021-06-07T16:19:54+00:00

Give those nags the boot

King_of_kings4 · 2021-06-08T05:09:03+00:00

Who the fuck cares what other people think.

Title	Is Going to the Gym “Too Much” a Thing?
Author	shittyfuckdick
Upvotes	72
Comments	158
Date	June 7, 2021 12:50 AM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/nu02l0/is_going_to_the_gym_too_much_a_thing/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/is-going-to-the-gym-too-much-a-thing.781376 https://theredarchive.com/post/781376