Is lifting weights for 2 hours too much?

Author: Dr. Isaac Walker PhD  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

You don't need to spend as much time lifting weights to see results as you think you do. A two-hour weightlifting session six days per week may feel like a proper dedicated routine, but it's just too much for most people.

Is 2 hours of weightlifting too much?

Conclusion: How Long Should A Weightlifting Session Last? Ultimately, you shouldn't be in the gym for more than 3 hours. 2-3 is okay, but that extra 60 minutes often results in a loss of performance, extra muscle soreness, and lower performance quality over the coming days.

Is spending 2 hours in the gym bad?

For some individuals, a 2-hour workout might be suitable, especially if it includes different types of activities and appropriate rest periods. However, for most people, a 2-hour workout might be considered lengthy and could lead to fatigue or overtraining.

How much does 2 hours of weightlifting burn?

Weightlifting. Weightlifting can burn anywhere between 200 and 600 calories per hour. It comes down to your body weight, the weights you're lifting, the intensity, the length of your rest periods, and the parts of your body that you're challenging.

How long is too long to lift weights?

If you're strength training only one day per week, aim for a 60- to 90-minute session; those who train two or three days a week should try for 45- to 60-minute sessions; and 20- to 60-minute sessions for people who train four or five days a week. In general, expect your strength workouts to span 20 to 90 minutes.

My FULL Workout Routine (Is 2 Hours Too Much?)

Is training for 2 hours too long?

For individuals who are just starting out with exercise, spending 2 hours at the gym may be too much, as it can lead to muscle soreness, fatigue, and injury. In general, it's recommended that beginners start with shorter workout sessions and gradually increase the duration and intensity of their workouts over time.

How do you know if you're overtraining?

When you're trying to tell if you're dealing with overtraining, consider these common symptoms:
  • Your Performance Declines. The hallmark sign of overtraining, Dr. ...
  • Fatigue and Soreness Ramp Up. ...
  • You Get Sick or Injured More Easily. ...
  • Sleeping Gets Harder. ...
  • Your Mood Changes. ...
  • Other Physical Symptoms Pop Up.

What is the 2 2 2 rule in weightlifting?

The rule that both NSCA and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend is the “2-for-2 rule.” After a few workout sessions, you can increase the weight for a certain exercise once you can perform two more repetitions beyond your repetition goal for the last set for two weeks in a row.

Is it OK if I workout 2 hours a day?

According to their research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, the optimal length of exercise per week is: minimum of 5 to 10 hours of moderate physical activity (42 minutes to an hour and 25 minutes daily) minimum 2 hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours of vigorous physical activity (21-42 minutes daily)

Is overtraining syndrome real?

However, if overreaching is extreme and combined with an additional stressor, overtraining syndrome (OTS) may result. OTS may be caused by systemic inflammation and subsequent effects on the central nervous system, including depressed mood, central fatigue, and resultant neurohormonal changes.

What is hypertrophy?

WHAT IS HYPERTROPHY? Muscle hypertrophy (known simply as hypertrophy) is an increase in the size of a muscle, or its cross- sectional area attributed to an increase in the size and/ or number of myofibrils (actin and myosin) within a given muscle fiber.

Is it bad to lift weights for 3 hours?

Over-Training

Whether your goal is to lose weight or improve performance, more training is not always better. Training three or more hours a day, five or six days a week, offers no greater benefits than training an hour to an hour and a half a day.

What is overexercising?

Over-exercising is when we do more exercise than our body can handle. This can include doing too much exercise or exercising in an unsafe way, or not eating enough food alongside exercising. Over-exercising is different for different people. One person might feel ok doing a certain amount of exercise.

How much is overtraining?

Unfortunately, there's no concrete answer to that question. For most people, the answer is… less. If you're training six or seven times per week but you're not training for a specific sport, event or competition, chances are you're overtraining.

Is it overkill to work out twice a day?

Two-a-day workouts can increase your risk of overtraining or injury. That's because too much exercise — without adequate recovery, rest, or nutrition — can take a toll on your body. Overtraining can cause a host of symptoms, including: Muscle pain.

Will 2 hours of exercise help me lose weight?

Cardio's role in helping you shed pounds is burning calories. The more you exercise, the more calories you'll burn. If you're trying to lose weight, you should aim for doing cardio at least five days per week for a total of at least 250 minutes (4 hours, 10 minutes) each week.

What is the golden rule of weightlifting?

Start Slow

One of the most important golden rules of strength training is to start slow. If you're new to strength training, don't jump in too quickly. It's important to start with a program that is appropriate for your fitness level and allow for proper rest and recovery. This will help you avoid injury and burnout.

Is it better to increase weight or reps?

Low Weight, High Reps Is Good for Overall Health

HIIT workouts can also help control and improve blood glucose readings, a measure of diabetes risk. Workouts that use low weight with higher reps are also safer. If you try to lift weights that are too heavy, you are more likely to cause a muscle tear or strain.

What is the 5x5 rule in lifting?

5×5 means you do five sets of five reps with the same weight. These are “straight sets” or “sets across”. On the Squat, Bench Press, Overhead Press and Barbell Row you do 5×5. Say you Squat 5×5 225lb (total weight including the bar, because you lift it).

Can you damage your heart by exercising too hard?

But in some cases, extreme exercise can damage the heart. Research is showing that a small percentage of middle-aged and older athletes who compete in endurance events over many years may be at higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – and other heart problems.

What does an overused muscle feel like?

Symptoms of overuse injuries include: tingling, numbness, or pain in the affected area. stiffness or soreness in the neck or back. feelings of weakness or fatigue in the hands, arms, or legs.

Can working out too much make you gain weight?

High intensity exercise could lead to weight gain, researchers say. A recent animal study suggests that intense exercise may unexpectedly contribute to weight gain by reducing subsequent physical activity and lowering body temperature.

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