Is “Overtraining” Really Possible?

Too much training? For the motivated individual who’s trying to lose weight, bulk up, or simply get in shape, the concept of “overtraining” can be a disheartening one. You’ve been working so hard every day and have been getting good results, but some articles seem to suggest you’ve been working too hard. Have you been putting in so much work that you’ve been hurting your own progress?

Well, stay motivated. This article will look at the phenomenon of “overtraining” and question whether or not you’ve really been doing it.

What is Overtraining?

Overtraining is essentially what happens when the work you’ve been putting in out-paces your body’s ability to recover. It can be common for high intensity or high endurance athletes like weightlifters and runners. But are you really experiencing it?

Many times, people overestimate their ability to overtrain themselves and underestimate their body’s recovery abilities. Overtraining is most often a concern for Olympic athletes who are working at their skills for some 5-8 hours a day. If you’ve been working out an hour a day and are worried you’re overtraining, there’s a good chance that your worries are unfounded.

The process of improving the quality of your muscles means that you tear them down and wait for the body to rebuild them up even stronger. Overtraining your muscles would mean that you don’t give them enough time to rebuild, essentially doing harm to your own goals. But is this an excuse to work less hard?

How to Prevent Overtraining

Most of the time, preventing overtraining isn’t a problem unless you’re a professional athlete. But if you do find yourself over-worked, overtraining is a problem that can often be treated quite quickly and easily.

Since overtraining means that you aren’t giving your body enough recovery time, feeling overtrained can be helped by simply taking a few days of rest and allowing your body to recover. Spending a weekend watching the boob tube can feel like a great reward for all of your hard work – and what’s better, you know that your body is actually working to improve itself because of the work you’ve put in!

The important thing is not to let rest dominate your life. After your rest, get back at it again.

Ultimately, exercise helps you when you push yourself out of your comfort zone. If it was easy to get in shape, everyone would be able to do it. Don’t get down when someone tells you you’re overtraining – they might be wrong.

Photo Credits: zabara_breakdance

Originally posted 2009-09-07 03:32:22.

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