Skip to main content

How Often Should You Train?

 This is one of the most common questions we get asked — and honestly, it’s a good one.

Some people think they need to train every day to see results. Others worry that if they can only make it two or three times a week, it’s not enough.

The truth? It depends on your goals, your recovery, and your lifestyle.

💪 For General Strength & All-Round Fitness

If your goal is to move better, get stronger, and improve your fitness — training 2–4 times per week is more than enough when you follow a structured program (like ours).

Why? Because progress comes from a balance of training hard, recovering well, and staying consistent.

Even elite athletes build rest days into their week. The magic doesn’t just happen in the gym — it happens when your body adapts between sessions.

🧠 It’s About Quality, Not Quantity

Doing 2–4 well-planned, purposeful workouts each week will give you far better results than seven half-hearted sessions with no plan.

Each time you train, you should have a clear goal — whether it’s building strength, improving endurance, or refining technique. That’s where structured programming makes all the difference.

🔑 The Real Secret to Progress

Training is only one piece of the puzzle. Combine it with these three pillars, and you’ll see real, lasting change:

🥗 Good nutrition habits
You can’t out-train a poor diet. Fuel your body with a mix of lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Think of food as performance fuel — not punishment or reward.

😴 Recovery and lifestyle management
Sleep 7–9 hours a night if you can, stay hydrated, and give your body time to rest. Overtraining often leads to burnout or injury — both of which will set you back further than taking a day off ever would.

👥 Accountability and coaching
Having a coach and a community behind you keeps you consistent, especially on the days you don’t feel like showing up. That’s why group training (like we do at CrossFit Greater Brislington) works so well — you’re never doing it alone.

✅ Takeaway Tips to Make the Most of Your Training

Here are some simple ways to stay consistent and get better results from your workouts:

  1. Set a weekly schedule. Pick your training days in advance and treat them like appointments you can’t cancel.

  2. Don’t panic if you miss a session. Like James Clear says, “Missing once is an accident. Missing twice is the start of a new habit.” Get back to it quickly.

  3. Focus on progression. Track your lifts, times, or reps — small improvements each week add up fast.

  4. Listen to your body. Fatigued? Swap an intense session for some mobility or light cardio. Consistency doesn’t mean going full throttle every day.

💡 The Bottom Line

You don’t need to train every day to see progress — you just need consistency, structure, and balance.

Popular posts from this blog

Motivation vs. Discipline: Why One Will Fail You (and the Other Won’t)

Let’s be honest: motivation feels amazing… when it’s there. You’re fired up, ready to conquer the world, and hitting the gym feels easy. But what about the days when you’re tired, the weather’s rubbish, and the thought of working out feels like a chore? Here’s the truth:  motivation is fickle.  It shows up when it wants to, usually at the start of something new, and then disappears the second life gets inconvenient. That’s where  discipline  steps in. Discipline Doesn’t Care How You Feel Discipline is showing up even when you’d rather stay in bed. It’s dragging yourself to the gym because it’s Tuesday and that’s just what you do, not because you’re “feeling it.” Is it exciting? Nope. Does it work? Absolutely. Because when you stick with it long enough, discipline creates habits — and habits are what keep you consistent without relying on willpower. Don’t Panic If You Miss a Day Discipline isn’t about being perfect. Everyone skips a session now and then. James Clear, ...
Read more

Why Low-Intensity Cardio (Zone 2) is the Secret Weapon in Your Fitness Toolkit

If you do CrossFit, you’re no stranger to pushing hard — sweaty, breathless, heart pounding, and feeling like you’ve left it all on the floor. But here’s the thing: not every workout should leave you gasping. In fact, some of your best gains (and recovery) happen when you  slow down . Welcome to  Zone 2 cardio  — the underappreciated hero of fitness. What is Zone 2 Cardio? Zone 2 is a level of exercise where your heart rate is  elevated, but you can still hold a conversation . Think “I could chat, but I’m definitely working.” If you’re using a heart rate monitor, Zone 2 is roughly  60–70% of your max heart rate . To estimate your max: Take  220 – your age Multiply that number by  0.6  and  0.7  to find your Zone 2 range. No heart rate monitor? Use the  talk test : If you can speak in full sentences without gasping for air, you’re probably in Zone 2. If you can only blurt out a few words before needing a breath — you’ve gone too hard...
Read more

How to Stop Snacking Between Meals- My Top 5 Tips!

Struggling with constant snacking? You're not alone — this is one of the most common habits we help people tackle. Whether it’s boredom, low energy, or just not being satisfied after meals, snacking can sneak in and slow down your progress. Here are  my top 5 tips  to help you cut the snack cravings and stay on track: 1) Eat a good protein source with each meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) Protein keeps you fuller for longer. It helps balance your blood sugar and reduces cravings, making it much easier to go from one meal to the next without raiding the snack cupboard. 2) Plan meals so you know what you're going to be eating When you’ve already planned your meals (with a good protein source), you’re less likely to snack out of convenience or indecision. A plan removes guesswork and helps you stay in control. 3) Stay hydrated, drinking water regularly — especially sparkling Mild dehydration can be mistaken for hunger. Keeping hydrated, especially with sparkling water, can fil...
Read more