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I just recently missed a workout routine a few days ago b/c of my schedule for work. Was just wondering what other people do when something, i.e. your job or some other event, prevents you from getting to the gym on a certain day. Do you do twice as much the next day?.........

Just start where you left off.
Doing twice as much is not a good way to compensate as your body doesn't work that way.

I would try and make it up on an off day so that I get everything for the week in.
It only works if I'm doing a muscle group that I've not just done.
For example, I missed legs yesterday, today is usually an off day but since tomorrow would be chest and back, I'm making up my legs day today.
If it was an upper-body work out (instead of legs), I would probably pick up where I left off today and my plan would then just be pushed back a day until I found a window to get things back on schedule.

Consider it one of your off days and pick up where you left off. Doing twice as much the next time you're in the gym will only hurt you in the long run.

I agree. Just pick up where you left off and maybe go in on one of your off days to make up for it if you want. I try and take the weekends off but if I miss a workout during the week, i tend to make it up on the weekend. The gym is a lot more quiet and Im able to get in an awesome workout. I feel better knowing Im back on track and ready to start the week on schedule again.

awesome, thanks.

Its a challenge. I hate it when I miss a workout, but I don't think it makes sense to condemn yourself to hell (so to speak) for missing one. In some cases it might even do you good. I would resume the next day as if you didn't miss the workout at all.

Depends on the reason I missed out. In general, either starting the next session as if I didn't miss or doing what I would normally do the next time is fine. I'll often end up extending into my normal rest day so that by the end of the week I've made up that one missed session. That is, assuming it's not a routine miss of a given session. When I find I'm regularly unable to make a given session, most of the time I'll just restructure my plans so that I'm not always dealing with that difficulty.

And, if I miss a session because of some at least physical activity--for instance, if I wasn't able to fit in hitting the gym because I ended up playing tennis that day--I'll just generally chalk it up to "at least I was active".

Def try to start at your normal pace

HighVoltageGuy saidConsider it one of your off days and pick up where you left off. Doing twice as much the next time you're in the gym will only hurt you in the long run.

Well not necessarily. You can definitely do a twice a day. One in the morning and afternoon. But, the only thing is the ones that do this are pretty advanced fitness-wise. Meaning, they know how to compensate by eating and sleeping properly. I don't suggest it for novices.

Pick up where you left off.

I can relate to your question and the guilt can sometimes eat at you, which is a good thing, because that means you have formed a habit to get to the gym and work out, but it's ok if one misses a workout every once in awhile, just don't let it slide and lose the habit.


To be honest, your day off is like your muscles saying thanks. Because muscle growth takes place when you are relaxed and resting....not when you're in the gym. When you miss a day, I suggest doing some situps, pushups, and side bridges before you go to bed. That 10-15 minutes to do those three exercises alone will make up for you time that you missed in the gym. Plus, it will give an awesome pump before you fall asleep.

When I miss a day because of something that prevented me from working out like my job or some unexpected incident I just tell myself that it wasn't my fault and look forward to the nest day so i can actually work out.

Sometimes I even enjoy the the fact that I missed a day of working out because it frees me up to turn my attentions to something else.

jab2810 saidI just recently missed a workout routine a few days ago b/c of my schedule for work. Was just wondering what other people do when something, i.e. your job or some other event, prevents you from getting to the gym on a certain day. Do you do twice as much the next day?.........

I always self-flagellate after missing a workout.