Eli5: How do body builders and athletes train so much?

Question

How do they exercise so intensely most days with such small rest periods?

In: Biology

Answer 1

There is more rest than you think there is.

Athletes, bodybuilders, and other fitness enthusiasts often schedule their training and workouts to both allow for necessary recovery while maintaining the challenge and stress on their body needed to get better.

Here is an example of a whole body, 3 day split routine:

Day 1: All muscle groups – 1 exercise, 3 sets, 10-12 reps

Day 2: Rest

Day 3: All muscle groups – 1 exercise, 3 sets, 10-12 reps

Day 4: Rest

Day 5: All muscle groups – 1 exercise, 3 sets, 10-12 reps

Days 6-7: Rest

Here is an example of an upper and lower body split:

Day 1: Upper-body muscle groups – 2 exercises each, 3 sets, 6-8 and 10-12 reps

Day 2: Lower-body muscle groups – 2 exercises each, 3 sets, 6-8 and 10-12 reps

Day 3: Rest

Day 4: Upper-body muscle groups – 2 exercises each, 3 sets, 6-8 and 10-12 reps

Day 5: Lower-body muscle groups – 2 exercises each, 3 sets, 6-8 and 10-12 reps

Days 6-7: Rest