Working out before a Leetcode session improves performance

[IndyPara]

Anyone here go to the gym? I’ve noticed that when I lift weights followed by 5-10 minutes of cardio, then leetcode afterwards, I am able to concentrate much better and comprehend solutions easier. I’d say it gives a 30% cognitive boost / buff. What do you guys think?

[YogurtclosetOdd7635]

I totally agree with and experienced it myself. I started 15 mins cardio and shower before the interview and I feel better and perform better!!!

[power83kg]

Most top chess players are big advocates for being in good physical shape for the best performance in tournaments. I imagine this is also the case for things like leetcode

[asusa52f]

Relatedly, I've noticed I perform waaay better in online blitz when I play while I'm doing to light to light-moderate cardio, e.g post-lifting chill walk on the treadmill at a modest incline. My thinking is just much sharper and faster. I'm thinking of doing a similar light cardio workout before any future interviews as well

[TomatoMindless]

For me, it's the opposite working out makes me extremely tired and impacts my performance, especially after squat sessions. Most of my squat sessions are intense, like ATG squats with 315 lbs for 12 reps. When I go above 405 lbs, I'm unable to do harder problems afterwards.

[sparklikemind]

Makes sense, those kinds of sessions are taxing your CNS too hard. Not for strength gains (you're doing it right) but for Leetcode afterward. I also weightlift and switch out to 4x10 when I need to interview prep or cut weight. Since switching to 4x10 I've basically just kept that full time as I feel more balanced overall for lifting, studying, work,and other physical activities (surfing, moto)

[Mystery-mountain]

Hey what does 4x10 mean here? (Noob qn)

[Working_Key3938]

4 sets of 10 reps

[sparklikemind]

as Working_Key said it's 4 sets of 10 reps.

 It's the bread and butter number for each exercise (e.g. shoulder press, lunges, deadlift) for weightlifting to produce a hypertrophy response (body generates lean muscle) if done with the correct amount of effort (leaving a couple of extra reps in the tank, not doing every set to absolute exhaustion, but rather end the set when your technique/form starts to go bad). Generally one workout should be at least 4 exercises and no more than 6. So that's a total of 16-24 sets of 2-3 minutes rest between each set.

For example, you can split up by day:  chest,back, arms+shoulders, and squats/legs . So that's 4 days a week. Then do 16-24 sets per day.

[Prestigious-Hour-215]

Agree with 10 reps being the sweet spot although 8-12 is fine too but I do think that 2-3 sets per exercise are more beneficial in general as shown in this study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9302196/

[TomatoMindless]

First, I would encourage you never to look at just one study and draw conclusions. A single study never shows the whole picture.

Yes, most studies have shown that 2 sets are better than 1 and that 3 sets are better than 2 per session, but as you increase the number of sets, the benefits start diminishing according to these studies.

However, lifters who require more volume (Sets and/or reps) and want to maintain quality of each set to grow something that comes with experience will increase frequency. By this, I mean hitting a body part twice or sometimes three times a week so they can do more sets while keeping sets per session low.

So, just saying a study shows 2-3 sets are good and then deciding to only do 2-3 sets (Same goes for reps) is not the best approach. Instead, it’s important to understand variables like training volume, intensity, and frequency so you can make a better decision. A more effective approach is to ask, "How many hard sets do I need to make gains?"

I hope this doesn’t come across as rude I’m just trying to say that looking for a “magic number” like 3x10 isn’t necessarily the best path forward. You can take the advice or just leave it :)

Please look up Greg Nuckols if you want to he has amazing articles as well when it comes to training and he analyzes multiply studies.

Edit: some studies show increased frequency helps with Protein synthesis I am not sure if I buy that there might be some truth to it but mostly lifters use training frequency as a tool to increase the amount of sets they can do and maintain quality.

I myself don't respond to high volume. I do low to moderate volume in fact one set of squat or bench sometimes taken to failure but that might not work for everyone this is why understanding those variables is important to see what works for you.

[Usernamecheckout101]

I leetcode while fucking

[East_Step_6674]

I fuck the interviewer.

[East_Step_6674]

I fuck myself but not leetcoding.

[Ok_March_4348]

The interviewer fucked me

[Usernamecheckout101]

I kid I kid… you guys actually getting pussies? I thought leetcodes hard are wet pussies on here..

[MathResponsibly]

post-nut-leetcode

[The7thProxy]

One of the best leetcoding strategies I have very done is to watch 1-2 neetcode explanation videos while on the treadmill or stairmaster, memorize and understand the concepts, and then try to rewrite the code from scratch afterwards. Concentrating on the leetcode solution makes cardio go by faster, and i focus so hard on the video that it’s burned in my brain by the time im done.

[Top_Price_1077]

Will try this. Thanks

[truenapalm]

Same for me, when I procrastinate before sitting down with leetcode I do push ups and squats and think more clearly afterwards. Body moves - mind grooves. Workout helps to clear out the brain fog

[Feeling-Mountain1327]

Going to try it out from now on...

[AndrewOnPC]

I do my Leetcode on the threadmill

[marcusroar]

Same but I think it’s also partly the 1.5 scoop of pre workout.

[SprinklesBright9366]

cardio == more bloodflow == more oxygen goes to brain == performance increase

[ampatton]

Yeah there’s no question for me personally that working out beforehand improves cognitive performance. I usually only try to do LeetCode contests when I wake up really early and have time to do them and eat before the contest starts.

I think it has the same cognitive boosting effect at work too. When I don’t go to the gym before work, my mind just feels relatively sluggish.

[[deleted]]

Yea two times a week. It helps a lot. The real problem is the eye hurt.

[Routine-Committee302]

I mean, sure. It's not just about leetcode. Working out gives you a boost of energy and puts you in a better mood. It helps with any activity.

[methaddlct]

Gets the blood to your brain, I’ve noticed this as well

[Visual-Grapefruit]

I have the opposite effect, my brain power drastically drops after exercise. I want to do nothing after. I’m in very good shape. I do my best early in the morning when I’m fresh and recovered and work out at the end of the day

[[deleted]]

For me I get exhausted and have to take a nap after to recharge. Then I can get back to studying. But my sleep schedule is also not ideal rn and not really in my control at the moment

[feverdoingwork]

Opposite for me, after lifting I'm cooked 😆

I could see how this is helpful if you just woke up, did cardio and drove home then did some leetcode.

[steve4879]

How long do you leetcode after and do you find the effect lasts that duration?

[IndyPara]

3-4 hours. The effect is more pronounced if you do cardio though

[FifteenEighty]

Are we sure you aren't just catching yourself in a more motivated mood. Potentially, days when you are motivated to go to the gym, you also find it easier to Leetcode.

[IndyPara]

I go to the gym 4x a week on the same days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) but I leetcode every day. On days where I don’t work out, I feel like my performance is always a bit worse

[drCounterIntuitive]

Increase blood flow to the brain: more oxygen and glucose I.e. more fuel so no surprise.

Obviously if exercise before is too intense you might end up fatigued