“Always a Mistake to Train 2 Days in a Row”: Late Bodybuilding Legend Challenged Standard Norms With Scientific Backing in a Resurfaced Video

When it comes to the world of Bodybuilding, everyone is running behind quick results and wants to acquire transformation in a short time span. With the hope of getting quick results a very common mistake made by most of the athletes is training in a row everyday. This leaves the body with no rest and this has a very slow rate of development. 

Mike Mentzer, the pioneer of High-intensity training, recently discussed the repercussions of continuous training without rest. The video, which has resurfaced on Instagram, is now trending across the Internet. Let’s dive into what the legend has to say about the importance of rest in training.

Mike Mentzer on the importance of recovery for growth

Legendary athlete Mike Mentzer’s insights on the myth of training two days in a row were recently shared by the official page of ‘masterthegym.’ In an audio clip, he firmly expresses,  “Bill I can tell you without a doubt that it’s always a mistake to train 2 days in a row.” Mentzer highlights the crucial role of rest for muscle growth, emphasizing, “You have to understand again the body doesn’t grow during the workout. It grows during the rest periods.” The post has garnered attention from fitness enthusiasts eager to learn from the wisdom of this iconic figure.

In order for a muscle to recover, be it isolated muscles or a muscle group, a 24-hour rest does not suffice. Hitting the gym without having proper rest only means that you are exhausting your energy for no good reason. Mentzer adds, “We have learned through observations that training 2 days is always a mistake because 24 hours between workouts is not enough time to allow full recovery and full growth.” It is imperative to primarily think about recovering after a workout than to think about recovering. He says, “First thing you do after a workout Bill, is not grow, but recover, right? Put back what was used out.  When you’re done working out you don’t feel the same as you did before the workout, do you?”

Read More: “It’s Not Gonna Hurt You”: Late Bodybuilding Genius Mike Mentzer Reasoned Why Training To Fail Is an Absolute Necessity in a Resurfaced Video

He further goes on to say, “You’re exhausted. Something was used up. The first thing your body will do after the workout, therefore, is devote its energy and resources to… recovery or compensate for the exhaustive effects of the workout. That takes time. It doesn’t happen in 5 mins. It could take up to several days for some people.” The intensity with which muscle recovery takes place varies in different individuals and it is important that one understands how long the process of recovery takes and only then hits the gym. Mentzer himself worked out once a week and believed in resting being superior to over-training.

Mentzer’s once-a-week training

The 1978 Mr. Universe champion, Mike Mentzer, held the belief that many athletes were overtraining, causing a hindrance in their progress. As a proponent of high-intensity training, Mentzer advocated for training only once every five to seven days. He emphasized the importance of achieving peak muscle stimulation within a 20-30 minute timeframe. His approach aimed to optimize results while avoiding excessive strain on the body.

However, his unconventional method of training is still a debatable argument and various athletes hold different views on it. While some of them think it works wonders, the rest of the lot finds it completely ineffective. What do you think about Mike Mentzer’s once-a-week training? Let us know in the comments section below!

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