2. Space it Out
Most people do one workout in the morning and one in the evening, because it makes the most sense for their schedule. There's no exact rule of thumb, though some trainers advocate two days between workouts involving the same muscle group. If performance starts to decrease from workout to workout, it's probably a good idea to take a few more rest days.
3. Fuel Up
Maximize exercise sessions with pre- and post- workout snacks. Check out our guide to workout nutrition to make sure you're capitalizing on that last gym session.
Don't forget to hydrate, either. Water is just as important as a protein shake. In fact, exercising when the water tank is low can cause greater damage to muscles and make it harder for them to repair.
4. Sleep Like a Pro
Studies suggest too little and poor-quality sleep can make it harder for us to recover and perform during future workouts.
More From Greatist: 27 Easy Ways to Sleep Better Tonight
5. Prioritize Recovery
Treat yourself to a little self-myofascial release with one of these recovery tools. And take a day off! If you've put in a ton of hours during the week running and weightlifting, there's nothing wrong with taking a break. A day off doesn't mean you lounge on the couch all day, but a walk with the dog or some light stretching will help you prep for upcoming workouts.
More: 17 Proven Ways to Speed Muscle Recovery
The Takeaway
There are advantages to working out multiple times a day. Morning people may exert more effort right after waking up, while night owls may prefer to save a tough workout for later in the day.
Thirty to 45 minutes twice daily equals 60 to 90 minutes per day, which allows for more flexibility for people with busy schedules. And for beginners, breaking up exercise into smaller workouts can be less daunting.
At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter how many times we work out, but the way we do it—which body parts we train, the intensity of each session, and how our bodies respond—certainly does. If your aim is two-a-days, just make sure to play it safe and watch out for signs of overtraining.
More: Why You Should Be Doing Superset Workouts
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