3 Workouts a Week Enough?

[BendtheBar]

This is a common beginner question. I thought I would post it up and allow everyone on the forum to address the concern that 3 workouts per week isn't enough for building muscle:

Is 3 workouts a week enough?

[Shadowschmadow]

That depends on a lot, but for a beginner with a proper training program - absolutely.

[Off Road]

Depends on what you are doing in those three workouts; it may not be enough, it may be just right, or it may be way too much.

[Shadowschmadow]

That's the thing about building muscle - it doesn't necessarily matter how often you go to the gym, and it has a lot to do with what you do outside of the gym. Its more than just lifting weight.

[Fazc]

Full body 3 x weekly will get you far.

Full body split for a rank beginner... not enough work.

[Soldier]

I agree that how often you workout is actually a small part of the equation. Lift choices, progression, and diet are all more important than wether you go to the gym 3, 4, or 5 times a week.

[LtL]

I have trained three days per week for the past 4.5 months since my daughter was born. The extra recovery time (and time with my daughter) has allowed me to make the same progress as on a 4 day per week split, if not better as I now put more volume into the 3 days I train.

LtL

[BigJosh]

3 days a week is plenty whether your goal is to build muscle or increase strength. This is all most beginner to intermediate lifters need as long as it is a proper routine, using proper lifts and utilizing principles such as progression, proper rest and adequate diet.

Just some food for thought, there are some people, Stuart McRobert being one, who suggest that a natural lifter workout out 3 times every 10 days as opposed to 7. While I know this is an extreme point of view, he is putting an emphasis on the fact that natural lifters need adequate rest and recovery times in order to progress.

Also, this doesn't mean 4 day routines don't, can't, or won't work, because that's not what I'm saying. However, when addressing the question "is 3 days a week enough?", I personally have to say yes, it is more than enough to achieve your strength and muscle goals.

[Off Road]

I will go out on a limb and say that two workouts a week can be enough for a bunch of guys.

[SeventySeven]

3 days a week is working for me.
Enough said.