Stopping every 5 minutes?

Submitted by Frequent_Ad_9498 t3_z134rg in books

Hi,

I am a programmer (who also reads alot about computers) and I'd like to start working out but since I have school I don't have lots of time for both and I'd like to definitly keep programming.

I can workout at home since I'll do calisthenics and buy a pullup bar and some equipment so it doesn't take alot of time to start and end.

Even with this a workout would still take up to an hour and a half with 5 minute rest periods inbetween sets.

This is still alot of time I am wasting so I'd like to read inbetween my sets (5 min read, 1-2 min excercice set, and so on). The books I read are very hard since the topic of the books are usually very complicated, I read them slow, page by page, section by section.

Is it significantly more efficient to just read or do these sets in between really not matter that much?

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workingtoward t1_ix8rj5q wrote

If you want to have a good workout, you really need to focus on your workout.

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Sheltac t1_ix8rtew wrote

Yeah this just sounds like a silly recipe for disaster or injury.

Just focus on your workout, and stop being artificially busy.

Also 5min rests is ridiculous. I’m a powerlifter and I do 90sec rests on any non-1RM set.

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wildadragon t1_ix8oh96 wrote

Can you get the audiobook versions of them?

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Glitz-1958 t1_ix9fiqx wrote

What about running with an audio book. That way you could get fresh air too.

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Halvdandengamle t1_ixc2jiv wrote

Five minute pauses between exercise are too long.

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lucia-pacciola t1_ixhqxi4 wrote

And five minutes of reading is probably too short, unless the material is super dense and you benefit from letting each paragraph percolate before moving on to the next.

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Volcano_Tequila t1_ix9jpoi wrote

As someone who wrote thousands of programs in my lifetime, I'd advise you to take longer breaks between reads to allow the material to sink in. You'll find your comprehension actually goes up. And that makes it more efficient in the end. You'll become a better, smarter programmer.

When you work out, focus on the workout, enjoy it, give your mind a rest and put your body to work instead. If your body is healthy, the brain functions better, believe it or not.

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scarletseasmoke t1_ixc34e8 wrote

Bodybuilders and workout folks will tear me apart, but... You could read in sections instead of timing things. Do a set or two, read ~one journal page's worth of material until it makes sense to pause, do another set. It's very much not ideal if you want to do serious body building, but the best workout is the one you can keep up, so if reading helps you keep it up because it doesn't feel like wasted time, it's worth it. It won't have the full effect you could get from your routine but it's still working out, and you can adjust later for better results.

Or just listen to lectures instead.

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Samthespunion t1_ixd0w5y wrote

Why would you take a 5 minute break between sets? That’s way too long, try like 2-3 minutes tops. Also if you’re pushing yourself to have a good workout your brain probably won’t have the capacity to retain anything you read about that’s too complex/dense

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