This Is Why I Started Exercising 3 Hours In A Week Instead Of 8 Hours

Is it possible to exercise less and still maintain an athletic body? The answer is YES.

I’m passionate about bodybuilding. From childhood, it was a dream to build a muscular body. I was 17 when I first started going to a gym. Two years later I was at my college.

One of my favourite place at my college was the gym. The gym was big and well equipped. I started to workout 4-5 days a week. Initially, it was 1 hour 20 minutes. But as I saw the muscle gain in 2 months… I increased the time.

For one year this much time I used to exercise:

Workout time – 2.30 hours. 2 days (chest day & leg day)
Workout time – 1.30-1.50 hours. 1 day (Biceps & back)
Workout time – 40 – 50 minutes. 2 days (Triceps, abs, shoulder…)

One day I sat down and started to calculate how much time I spend in the gym.

I like bodybuilding. But I never wanted to compete as a bodybuilder.

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My goal or motivation for fitness was to build a good physique and stay healthy.

But when I saw the calculation that I’m spending nearly 30-35 hours in the gym per month. I wanted a change. Because that’s a lot of time.

I thought – if I can cut down some time from it, then I can enjoy or explore other things.

So I did. After some research (surfing in fitness forums and blogs.)

I started my new fitness routine.

4 days in a week 35-50 minutes. Also, In some weeks I weight lift for 2-3 days and on other days I do bodyweight exercises and stretching. I change my exercise routine from time to time.

Impact of working out 3 hours in a week

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I look for sustainable fitness goals. I want it to be a part of my life for a long time. So, thinking about long term fitness goals 3 hours of exercise a week seems manageable.

If I say about the results I should say that I’m surprised. I’m very satisfied with my shape and how it’s developing.

I figured out that – after you work out more than 3-4 hours a week. You will gain. But at a diminishing rate. So I chose to workout 3 hours a week. Not more not less.

If you are not going to be a professional bodybuilder then there’s no point in working out 8 hours or more in the gym.

I think many of you can relate to this. Working out is very important to maintain your body fitness. But it only takes 3-4 hours of exercising in a week to maintain a good physique.