Am I over doing it ?

[Attila]

3 times a week full body workout,rest about 1-1.5 mins. between sets 25 working sets per workout. I'm 43 been lifting since about 13. My job is very physical and I hit the gym after work it takes an hour to complete not counting warm up and cool down/strecthing. Some times I feel sick,like Im gonna pass out close to the end and have trouble finishing the last six sets. Cardio is on off days 3-4 times aweek. Am I over training ? Do you think I should go back to a split routine ? I see results in the mirror(could be my imagination). My BW is still about the same,but only on this new routine for 3 weeks.Thanks.

[EatShizzel]

The thing is everyone is different. I personally respond better to volume training with a split routine of 4 to 5 days. When I start to feel worn down or become sick, I'll go to a 3 day a week routine for a week or two. If I continue to feel ill I take a week off sometimes 2. Basically if you're not continuing to make gains in either size or strength and are feeling ill or warn down you're over training. Other possible reasons are the quality of foods you're taking in. Make sure your getting enough protein and sleep as well. Quality carbs especially after training. Maybe try longer rest periods between sets for a while. When I'm trying to put on size I rest 2 to three minutes between sets. Resting only 1 minute to 1.5 minutes between set is good for leaning out and upping intensity but can wear you down after awhile. Just my 2cents

[local hero]

3 times a week full body workout,rest about 1-1.5 mins. between sets 25 working sets per workout. I'm 43 been lifting since about 13. My job is very physical and I hit the gym after work it takes an hour to complete not counting warm up and cool down/strecthing. Some times I feel sick,like Im gonna pass out close to the end and have trouble finishing the last six sets. Cardio is on off days 3-4 times aweek. Am I over training ? Do you think I should go back to a split routine ? I see results in the mirror(could be my imagination). My BW is still about the same,but only on this new routine for 3 weeks.Thanks.

well i work in shipbuilding/repair, realy hard dirty graft,,, for me working like that all day its far better to split your workouts up,your just totaly tiring your self out,  not necessarily your actual muscles but your body as a whole

whole body workouts when your advanced are tough, ok for begginers or for a little change now n then, but for working a manual job, i wouldnt advise it

[jpm101]

Attila: Seems to be a slow trend to go back to full body workouts, don't know why. Full body is productive if the exercises & sets are held in check. Full body is best suited for brief and to the point workouts, with focus on compound movements. Four to 6 exercises usually.

Twenty five sets (if not spending too much time on warmups..and in my view cooling down or finishing sets are never needed) should not make overwhelming demands on your body, but you might consider twice a week full body workouts rather that the three being done now. Lot's of guy's find this well suited for progressive gains as they get older. That is a lot of cardio included in your workout week. Any dire need for such extreme extra work I wonder? Body fat can be adjusted by simple diet controls. Would suggest interval training rather than the normal too long and too many cardio sessions a week.

If going back to a split, than might consider something like this:

Mon...upper body
Wed...lower body
Fri...upper body

Starting the following Monday:

Mon...lower body
Wed...upper body
Fri...lower body

Alternate again the next Monday. Work the abs, if you wish, on either lower or upper body days. Good Luck.

[Attila]

Thanks for all the positive feedback guys. Now I need to decide between going to a 2 day fullbody or a split like jpm101 recommended. I had been doing a split like that before and liked it. I got bored and went to a fullbody I think I'm over my boredom now and ready to go back.
BTW do you guys recommend a longer rest period between sets for an older lifter like me ? And 25 sets already takes over an hour to do with 1 minute rests so I want to cut back on sets I guess. I just want to get in the gym train and leave in less than 45 minutes,I like short workouts because I'm less likely to skip them.

[Yev33]

That upper/lower split that jpm101 recommended is a damn good split, allows you to hit the lower and upper body hard with plenty of rest in between.