Not Undermining the Novice Effect for a 46 year old Novice...

[Buff DrinkLots]

Dear Mark Rippetoe -

Thank you for continually being available.

I have a question.

During the summer, I like to take advantage of my father in law’s large pool and swim a couple of laps here and there – in addition to just swimming around. I like to go biking with my kids and just enjoy the nice weather. I also like jumping rope outside (no wise cracks) after my lifting sessions - if time permits; (just a few sets of 100 or so jumps once every week or so).

In one of your podcast or YouTube videos, I heard you say some harder conditioning sessions (like a prowler push circuit) would undermine the novice effect, this is understandable; however, would lite activities (done only once a week or so) like recreational swimming, biking, or jump rope undermine the novice effect for a 46 year old novice running a novice linear progressing program?

Thank you in advance.

[Mark Rippetoe]

If you're already adapted to light physical activity, it is unlikely that it will disrupt the recovery from strength training of an intact 46-year-old male. If you were 70, I'd say to lay off the other stuff for a while.

[Buff DrinkLots]

If you're already adapted to light physical activity, it is unlikely that it will disrupt the recovery from strength training of an intact 46-year-old male. If you were 70, I'd say to lay off the other stuff for a while.

Thank you very very much!