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JohnTomorrow t1_j5jnzt1 wrote

Reply to comment by ixramuffin in LPT: To get the most muscle/sculpting for your buck at the gym, focus on compound lifts—the exercises that recruit multiple muscle groups. You only really need overhead press, bench press, squat, deadlift, rows, dips, and maybe pull-ups. These will give you most workout for the energy you put forth. by [deleted]

It's a great way to build muscle. It's not a great way to get into "shape". You'll get strong doing physical labour, but nobody goes to a construction site thinking they'll look like a superhero at the end of their shift.

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ixramuffin t1_j5jtfhw wrote

Depends on your definition of "great". It's very inefficient in terms of time invested. Furthermore, physical labour rarely involves progressive overload.

Your body quickly becomes accustomed to the level of strain that is required of it. You will reach some base level of fitness required for the job and quickly plateau.

I don't know what you mean by getting into "shape" but I would argue that physical labour is much better for that. I understand getting into "shape" as losing weight (highly dependent on your diet, though) and possibly gaining some cardiovascular endurance.

In short, physical labour is great for burning calories but not for building muscle.

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