Getting Great Results With Just 3 Short Workouts Per Week
I decided that this summer I was going to deliberately back off on working out and only go into the gym 3 days per week. No matter what I wouldn't put in more than 3 days, even if I only made it into the gym 2 days the previous week. So most of the weeks I did get in 3 workouts, but a few times I only managed 2 times per week. My body shape is just as defined as it was when I worked out a lot more often. That's definitely a plus!
I consumed fewer calories so I wouldn't have to work out as often.
I knew I didn't have to go crazy and drastically reduce calorie, I simply ate slightly smaller portions a lot of the time. Once in a while, I did consume larger portions, however I concentrated on having just a bit less. To be honest it was pretty easy. Workouts can make you hungrier, but I was working out less often, so I didn't want to eat as much. I didn't count calories, but just followed my instincts of eating a little less. Like many of the readers of this site, I do Intermittent Fasting twice a week as well.
If you consume fewer calories, you can simply lose an exercise day.
You don't have to cut back much as far as average daily calories to equal what a workout would burn. I believe that cutting only 100-200 calories every 24 hours will work. If you combine this with walking more often and increasing recreational activities, you will achieve the same effect with one less trip to the gym. I think your body will benefit more from this in the future. Just don't eat as much, and do more walking. Easy and effective.
Circumstances That Require More Workouts Per Week
If you want to lose weight and save time effectively, really hit it hard when you first start working out, and just do the minimum maintenance once you reach your physical or weight goal. If you have a specific goal for looking good or being strong, like athletic training or events, or even auditions, you will need to increase gym time. The main thing is that these should be exceptions to day-to-day life.
Initially, it can't be bad for you to exercise more often.
If you spend your first three years or so of strength training getting as strong as you possibly can, it will help you. In this case, it would be fine to train 4-5 days per week. Once you reach your goal, though, be sure to back off a bit. From here, just do what you can to maintain the look you want without sacrificing your free time. If you're active enough outside of the gym, it'll be much less work for you as you train, as you don't need as much exercise.
