Is it better to reschedule workout than skip it?

Question

I go to gym 3 days a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (chest, shoulders, biceps/back, triceps/legs). This Friday, however, I'm going to leave the city till the next Tuesday. Is it better to reschedule Saturday's workout to Friday, or, increase the amount of Thursday's training? Or, should I do some kind of exercises during the trip? What is the general advice for inevitable training skips?

Answer 1

Whatever you decide to do should be dependent upon your training goals (eg. Training for a competition or race, etc.). Missing a training day is not the end of the world as long as it does not become a habit. Life happens, and, sometimes it impacts your training. Often, this results in “training guilt” especially if you’re a person that regularly trains. You might feel uneasy/guilty about missing a session when, in fact, a short training break may be just what you need. So, take a look back at your recent training history, and, see if you’ve been pretty strict about it. If so, I would just skip the workout and perform some light training on your trip. Then, pick up your training when you return.

Answer 2

I'll just answer this from my own experience.

For my job I often have to leave for a few days and can't access any strength training facilities. Worse (or better?) my job is physically demanding so I come back to town and I'm pretty beat up, sleep deprived, and didn't eat so well. It's a real drag because I can't maintain the progressive strength training schedule I'd like to. How I handle it:

• I try to do about 3 intermediate training program cycles (Texas method) during the winter when I have more control over my schedule. I can usually manage a couple of months without much interruption and make a lot of progress.

• During the summer when my job is more active, I stay in maintenance mode. I try to lift two days a week, one day at 80% of my 5RM and the other as close to 100% as I can get. If I go a couple of weeks without training it's okay, strength losses usually only show up after 3-4 weeks of no training.

I've had to understand that physical fitness (to me) is about having my body in a good-enough shape to do whatever I throw at it. I don't really lose size or strength during the summers. The only downside is that two weeks off and then 80% of my 5RM makes me wicked sore for a couple of days. Still, it's worth it.

Answer 3

I would increase the amount of exercise BEFORE the trip, since you know have a slot for recovery. Whatever workout you would do at the time of the trip, do it before instead, together with whatever you would do otherwise.

Answer 4

Exercise during the trip even though its not necessary in this case. Start now to get into the habit of it. Reschedule is better than doubling up. I go for hitting some performance highs if I skip a work out, and generally don't regret it.