Signs of Over Exercising & Over Training

It seems we’re bombarded with health messages about not being active enough – but what about the other end of the spectrum? Is there such a thing as too much exercise?

When it comes to determining how much exercise is too much, it’s important to remember that everyone has different physical limits.  What works for one person might not be healthy or sustainable for someone else.  

Knowing the signs of exhaustion and the potential consequences of over-exercising will help you avoid burnout and injury.

Join us as we explore the potential risks of over-exercising while providing some general guidance to help people set reasonable restrictions on their workout schedules.

The Symptoms of Too Much Exercise

If you’re working out more often than your body can handle, you’re likely to experience the following symptoms:

Aches and Pains

Pain is one of the first too much exercise symptoms you’re likely to encounter. Some soreness is normal if you’re working out regularly, but there’s a difference between the ‘good’ pain that comes from a hard workout, and the kind of pain that could indicate an injury.

If you’re consistently sore in a certain spot, or if the pain feels like more than just muscle soreness, you should stop exercising and give your body a chance to heal. Trying to push through the pain could lead to a chronic injury. If’s important to listen to your body.

Weakness

Do you ever struggle with workouts that you could once finish easily? It’s normal for your performance to fluctuate sometimes but feeling chronically weak could be a sign that you’re working out too much. If you don’t give your body time to rest and heal, your muscles won’t recover properly after each workout.

Taking a rest day doesn’t make you lazy or lacking in discipline. In fact, recovery should be an essential part of your fitness regime.

Mental Fatigue

Over-exercising doesn’t just impact your physical fitness; too much exercise can also harm your mental game. If you used to enjoy exercising but now find yourself dreading it, your brain is probably trying to tell you to take a break.

Instead of ignoring the urge to stay home and lie on the couch, remind yourself that there’s nothing wrong with occasionally skipping a workout.

How to Avoid Working Out Too Much

If you’re an exercise junkie, try going cold turkey by taking at least a week off. This will give your body a chance to rest and will help you get accustomed to having down time. Reconnect with other interests that you used to enjoy and try socialising instead of hitting the gym. You could also speak with a personal trainer about how to determine the right amount of exercise.

Overcoming an exercise addiction can take time, but the physical and mental benefits will be worth it.

For more expert fitness tips, check out our blog.