Don’t Super Size Your Workouts

With the weather finally starting to get nice again, a lot of people will start trying to get there body’s ready for that swimsuit. Those eager for faster results may increase there workouts by adding more exercises. In a world that is dominated by “Super Sizing” a product, we tend to think more is better. What many people don’t realize is that treating your workouts like this can actually slow down or stop your results completely.

In my younger years, I fell victim to this philosophy that more was better. I was lifting weights five days a week and my workout would last two hours! At first, this type of training seemed to be working, and I was seeing good changes in my body. After a while, my results stopped and I hit a plateau hard! So, my first reaction was to add more sets and reps, but this didn’t help.

This continued on for a while until one of the coaches told me I was over training! I was tasking my body too hard and wasn’t giving it the proper amount of time to recover. At first I was a little skeptical, but I decided to take his advice and take some time off from working out. I changed up my workouts and shortened them as well. When I went back to working out, I began seeing results again!

Now, over training isn’t something that only happens to athletes, it can effect anyone. It also doesn’t just effect building muscle, as in my case, but can also effect fat loss if you are trying to lose weight! Unsure if you are over training? The following are a few signs of it.

You are having problems completing workouts you could do before

Decrease in energy levels

Target muscles are still sore after several days of rest

Trouble sleeping, feel restless and excitable

These aren’t sure signs of over training, as the signs can change based off your training style, and are different from person to person. If you are encountering some of these sign consider revising your workouts.

-Scott