Polyphasic + The Gym

[zetsui]

So I wanted to ask is it possible to buildg muscle while on polyphasic sleep? It seems being up for 22 hours in a day itself should burn calories and result in your body utilizing catabolism (breakdown of muscle instead of fat). That being said if I were to start a run-only workout on polyphasic wouldn't this result in my muscle being broken down as muscle building is not possible on the sleep schedule? The main problem with me was that when I did workout I just couldn't go to bed afterwards and ended up crashing during the nap afterwards?

Anyone have the same dilemma, please do share, I'm a big guy whose weight can fluctuate and weight lifting and running keep it in line.

PS Isn't polyphasic sleep itself a diet, being up for 22 hours a day, burning 1.7 calories/min just staying awayke?

[wonder]

Originally Posted by zetsui

So I wanted to ask is it possible to buildg muscle while on polyphasic sleep? It seems being up for 22 hours in a day itself should burn calories and result in your body utilizing catabolism (breakdown of muscle instead of fat).

I believe so. Although you would need a calorie surplus (for the best gains), which could be difficult being awake so long. The Harris-Benedict formula and the like would not be sufficient in calculating your daily needs. You wouldn’t necessarily be catabolic if you had the right amount of food.

Originally Posted by zetsui

That being said if I were to start a run-only workout on polyphasic wouldn't this result in my muscle being broken down as muscle building is not possible on the sleep schedule? The main problem with me was that when I did workout I just couldn't go to bed afterwards and ended up crashing during the nap afterwards?

No, you wouldn’t be catabolic if you met your daily intake which would be much greater considering the added up time from the polyphasic and running. I think a run only program is a bad idea. You should consider morning cardio 3-4 times a week at your THR (target heart rate) and depending upon your current strength a calisthenics or weight training routine 3-4 times a week.


Couple of things to consider,
- Why are you polyphasic?
Although I personally like the pro’s of being polyphasic in reality I don’t see how anyone could accomplish 22 hours of anything in a day. I think if you prioritize and utilize your time well enough 16 hours a day up time is more than enough.

- Why are you running?
If you are running for fat loss, it’s not a good idea. I do 45 minutes cardio 6x’s a week at 70-75% maximum heart rate. Running will induce catabolism.

[silicon toad2000]

in the early days I read a training article about Shawn Ray the bodybuilder, he was working out, eating and then sleeping in the gym in 3 hour sessions I think.
It is quite possible to build muscle on polyphasic sleep. If you want to increase your muscle mass, you will need to ensure your muscles have adequate recovery time and ensure your protein intake is high enough.

Most of the pro's will tell you that nutrition is more important than excercise in that planning and effort put into your nutrition regime will produce more results than the same effort and planning put into your excercise. I hope that makes sense.

[jjclark]

In my opinion more sleep is really necessary. 7 hours minimum while trying to build muscle. Sleep is when most of the muscle rebuilding process occurs. A lot of the gurus in the body building field are starting to admit that working out less is more. When you lift you should only spark the muscle building process and while you rest you rebuild. And if you’re trying to lose fat while building muscle... forget about it because that requires to completely different things to go on in your body at the same time

It is weird that you can't sleep normally after a work out. Do you take any supplements?

[mlc82]

Originally Posted by jjclark

In my opinion more sleep is really necessary. 7 hours minimum while trying to build muscle. Sleep is when most of the muscle rebuilding process occurs. A lot of the gurus in the body building field are starting to admit that working out less is more. When you lift you should only spark the muscle building process and while you rest you rebuild. And if you’re trying to lose fat while building muscle... forget about it because that requires to completely different things to go on in your body at the same time

It is weird that you can't sleep normally after a work out. Do you take any supplements?

I seem to me making good gains lately sleeping about 5-5.5 hrs per night, with maybe a 20 minute nap in the afternoon. The funny thing is, I feel awful with much more than 6 hrs of sleep- I used to try and get 8-9 hrs obsessively to help my bodybuilding progress and would drag terribly through the day. Lately I've cut it back to 5-6 hrs max, and even though waking up is no fun, I feel much better and can actually get psyched up to work out again.

[jjclark]

Originally Posted by mlc82

I seem to me making good gains lately sleeping about 5-5.5 hrs per night, with maybe a 20 minute nap in the afternoon. The funny thing is, I feel awful with much more than 6 hrs of sleep- I used to try and get 8-9 hrs obsessively to help my bodybuilding progress and would drag terribly through the day. Lately I've cut it back to 5-6 hrs max, and even though waking up is no fun, I feel much better and can actually get psyched up to work out again.

hmm that's interesting. I wonder if you would be getting better results if you did sleep more. I guess everyone's body is different, and there's no way to say exactly how much sleep one individual needs. Maybe you have a hard time coping with 8 hours of sleep because you don't do much cardiovascular activity; if your trying to build muscle you probably aren't doing much in the way of aerobic activity.