How Much Training Is Enough?

When new clients join Accelerate Strength they are sometimes surprised when we talk them out of coming in 5 or 6 times per week and suggest 2 or perhaps 3 times per week is enough for them.    

While you could argue that more training “could” be better for them, our idea behind suggesting a small target at first is we aren’t interested in them starting something which is ultimately going to fail. Let me explain what I mean… 

We cater mostly to those who are currently not training much, or, perhaps not training at all. To get them to commit 5 or perhaps 6 hours of time in the gym per week is a big ask. 

One for their bodies to handle that amount of training, and two for the sacrifices they must make to be there. Be it time with family, friends or some hobby, time has to be taken from somewhere and replaced with the gym. 

In my experience asking for a small commitment of 2-3 hours per week is a great starting point and if I’m to be honest if that’s all everyone did for the rest of their lives I don’t think it would be a bad result. 

Once this 2-3 hours per week becomes part of their routine and they either want faster results or to spend more time with friends at the gym, extra sessions can easily be added.   

If more people took this approach perhaps there would be less people bouncing around gyms and compliance to a training program long term wouldn’t be seen as something only the committed were capable of, it was just a normal part of life… 

Shaun Diachkoff

@shaundiachkoff