Horrible Cardio Session Today

[AttackLax]

As the title states, I had a really bad one today. I have been doing BFL for 3 weeks now, and this was the first time I had this problem. I have been using an exercise bike, with HIIT starting on level 7, then 8,9,10,11,8,9,etc, and finishing off on level 12. I have really been pushing myself every time, but today, my legs just gave out. I only got 10 minutes in before my legs were burning so badly that I had to stop for 5 seconds just to give them a break. Then about every 1.5 minutes after that, I had to do the same thing. I tried to push through the muscle fatigue, but just couldnt.

I have had to quickly stop and shake the legs out once before, but never this much. It just felt like my muscles gave out. Yesterday I did upper body, so my legs should have been well rested.

Is this something that happens every now and then, or is there an aspect of my program I should look at? The main pain was coming from my quads, but also a little from my calves.

[shick]

Everyone has a bad day at the gym whether it be upper body, lower body, or cardio.

Was your lower body workout harder this week then what it had been in the past? This could explain the quads going out? Did you work out at a different time today then what you have been doing? Could also be your water intake if it was less yesterday then most days.

I would just shrug it off (not an easy thing to do sometimes) and know that being in the gym and going at it even if you had to stop is a lot better then sitting on the couch and flipping channels.

[AttackLax]

Last Friday, I really ramped up my lower body by adding 50 to my leg press, 50 to calves, and 20 to everything else because I kept feeling like I wasnt pushing it as hard as I could, but I figured my muscles would have recovered by now. My diet was about the same today.

I figured it was normal, but I just needed to make sure, and vent a little.

[Marc]

Hey, sounds to me like maybe you ought to think about mixing it up a little. Try rowing or running or elliptical or something different! Maybe you are burning your legs out a little doing the same thing over and over.

Yesterday I added running to my HIIT sessions for the first time in 4 weeks, wow, what a difference and i have to admit, the cardio was getting a little boring, till i mixed it up!

Hope this helps!

[Chris]

Well my first reaction is congratulatory... Nice job!

Think of it this way... Isn't the point to go until failure? Regardless of what you've done in the past or what the numbers on the bike say, it sounds like you just hit your 10 early. In my mind, if the goal is a 10, you've hit your goal.

Each time will be a little different at the gym. Sometimes on weight days I feel like I can't lift anything. I keep setting down weights that I previously lifted with ease, exchanging them for lighter, and getting all the more frustrated... but those tend to be the days I come away the sorest... and to me, those are some of the most successful experiences.

Great job today. Keep up the great work!

[jaypunkrawk]

Yeah, I have a feeling that's gonna happen to me very soon. I also did 7-12 last time, and thought I wouldn't make it. Keep it up! You're gonna see results!