Fitness beginners question:
I started working out recently, had about 9 days where I worked out. And out of those 9 probably 4-5 were days where I didn't sleep enough. So around 6-7 hours. Did I just waste my time working out if I don't get a proper 8 hours of sleep? I just learned it today in the gym, why isn't this common sense, why isn't everyone talking about is, its so unfair, so if you have a shitty job, basically it's impossible for you to gain muscle ?
Additionally, how bad is not getting enough sleep for muscle growth? I need help!
answers from fitness trainer:
I understand your frustration about the importance of sleep for muscle growth and fitness goals. You're absolutely right that it's a critical factor that isn't always emphasized enough. Let me try to provide some helpful perspective:
No, you did not completely waste your time working out on 4-5 days where you only got 6-7 hours of sleep. While proper sleep is essential for muscle recovery and growth, the occasional night of sub-optimal sleep is not going to completely sabotage your efforts.
The general recommendation is to aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night for adults. However, the exact optimal amount can vary from person to person. Getting 6-7 hours a few times a week is not ideal, but it's not a complete dealbreaker either.
The key issues with not getting enough sleep are:
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Lack of muscle recovery and growth - Sleep is when your body repairs and rebuilds muscle tissue. Insufficient sleep can hamper this process.
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Reduced exercise performance - Being well-rested allows you to put in higher quality workouts and push yourself harder.
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Increased cortisol (stress hormone) - Chronic sleep deprivation can elevate cortisol, which can impair muscle growth.
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Decreased motivation and energy levels - Fatigue from lack of sleep can make it harder to stay consistent with your fitness routine.
So while insufficient sleep isn't ideal, it's not an automatic dealbreaker, especially if it's just an occasional occurrence. The key is to make quality sleep a priority as much as possible.
For those with demanding work schedules, it may require some creative planning and boundaries around sleep. But it's absolutely possible to build muscle and see fitness gains even with an imperfect sleep schedule - it may just take a bit more time and effort.
The important thing is to be consistent with your workouts, pay attention to your body's recovery needs, and keep doing the best you can. With some adjustments, you can make it work. Let me know if you have any other questions!