Subscribe RSS FeedWhen training with weights or cardio, overtraining occurs when the body receives so much stress that it cannot cope. It can occur when you are training too much or you are not receiving enough nutrition and/or sleep. Every individual’s tolerance for exercises differs and how much rest a person requires will vary.
Overtraining is not something that suddenly happens but rather it is an accumulation that occurs over weeks and months. This is why it is essential that you learn what the signs are of overtraining so that you can be vigilant enough to adjust your training regime when you enter the danger zone of overtraining. That way, you can build muscle, lose weight and look great without worrying about getting sick or fatigued.
Probably the most obvious sign is a lack of progression. That is, you either stall in your gains in terms of muscle gain or cardio gains. You shouldn’t be concerned if you haven’t made any gains at one workout but as you progress three, four or five workouts with no progression then you should examine whether you are overtraining. This type of stalling comes usually at the end of a training cycle and often signals time to begin a new one.
The second most obvious signal is the inability to recover as quickly from your workouts. You will feel fatigue for a lot longer than usual and muscle soreness will not dissipate in a day or two. You may also have a lack of enthusiasm for training and may skip workouts or cut corners in the gym.
Poor sleep is another troublesome sign. Even though you may feel very tired, you may find if difficult to get to sleep at night.
In summary, trying to build muscle and lose weight is a worthy goal. However, pushing you body to the limits can lead to overtraining and means that you will not achieve the goals that you have set for yourself. Make sure you adjust your training volume and resting periods in accordance to how you feel.
Tags: cardio, overtraining, weight training