Time. We never seem to have enough of it. Work, school, family, relationship, hobbies... then there's the gym, that magical place which provides us the tools needed to transform our bodies from sedentary skinny-fat morals into walking, talking physical specimens of greatness. Any lifter with any kind of decent physique can tell you what kind of time resources are needed to properly train with weights, complete cardiovascular exercise, prepare meals, and endure all of the other challenges of a proper bodybuilding schedule. It takes plenty of time, and many of can never seem to find enough of it.
Recovery. We all need it. Without adequate sleep, we lose mental focus. Our central nervous system (CNS) tires, meaning our muscles weaken and our strength levels lag. Most people require 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep each night to adequately recover from their workouts, and of course, most people don't get this much sleep. Recovery & rest - or lack thereof - are the main reasons most people don't see the results they want from the gym, even when they're training hard and eating intelligently. Your muscles grow when you rest, not when you train, and recovery from sleep is something that bodybuilders could use. But what can be done to invent more hours?
The Uberman Sleep Cycle. You've probably never heard of it. Yet over 5 percent of the world's population is currently using some version of it, to enjoy more rest and recovery for their bodies, while using less hours of their day. The tenets of the Uberman Sleep Cycle are simple. You take six naps of 20 minutes each, every 24 hours. This means you have 3 hours and 40 minutes to work, train, learn, and spend with loved ones - then you hop down for a 20 minute nap. Repeat. During the day, forcing yourself to take that 20 minute nap might be difficult. However, when the evening arrives and your peers are out like a light for 9 or 10 hours, you are still being highly productive - hitting the weights, cooking your meals, and all of the other vital tasks of life. You sleep for 2 hours out of every 24, but the spacing allows your body all of the time it needs for recovery & repair.
The Uberman Sleep Cycle might not be right for you. Your work or family obligations might prevent it from working in its exact format. However, some variation of it always remains at your disposal, for those times when schedules get hectic and you need to find ways to give your body the rest & recovery resources it requires, while at the same time finding the hours needed to complete the tasks that life requires. There may be times when it works for you - and keeps your training and recovery afloat when your schedule isn't all that cooperative. And you may find that, like 5% of the world, the Uberman Sleep Cycle works great for you. Your body might react in a very positive way. Give the Uberman Sleep Cycle a shot, you might just enjoy the results - and all of the added time you'll discover as well!
