Training FAQ #11: Does "overtraining" exist?

[Animal Rep]

The existence of the phenomena known as "overtraining" has long been debated, and with great passion. Some argue it's a real event with a biological basis. Others argue it is a phantom, a figment of the mind. Some lifters grow like weeds with a more "minimal" training routine. Others only flourish when they hammer out set after set after set. If your approach works, good for you. One man's meat is another man's poison. Just keep in mind the validity of the term may be influenced by your approach to lifting and what your ultimate goals are.

For one such hotly debated discussion: http://forum.animalpak.com/showthread.php?t=2197

[TheNaturalG]

I think it is easy to say overtraining is a 'phantom' if you have never overtrained before. So I if you are a true nonbeliever try doing only rest pauses, beyond failure techniques, negatives, forced reps, widowmakers, statics, etc. for many sets in each workout and after a month or 2 tell me you have not started to drag ass at the gym from being more tired and weaker then usual.

[adidas]

proper nutrition and rest can really help offset any OT issues IMO.

[Macrobolic]

The existence of the phenomena known as "overtraining" has long been debated, and with great passion. Some argue it's a real event with a biological basis. Others argue it is a phantom, a figment of the mind. Some lifters grow like weeds with a more "minimal" training routine. Others only flourish when they hammer out set after set after set. If your approach works, good for you. One man's meat is another man's poison. Just keep in mind the validity of the term may be influenced by your approach to lifting and what your ultimate goals are.

For one such hotly debated discussion: http://forum.animalpak.com/showthread.php?t=2197

IMO, I believe that it is a very true phenomena, but some people use it as an excuse not to train intensely. But it does happen, so to curb it from ever happening, I'll usually put a lower intesity week into my cycle every 6-8 weeks. It lets the body and mind rest a little, without going stale.

[Macrobolic]

proper nutrition and rest can really help offset any OT issues IMO.

This can offset OT symptoms for a time, but eventually even that won't help anymore IMO because of CNS over-exhaustion.

[bigpunisher]

yes you can over train because your muscle actually grows when you are resting.

[navarro1]

well how come everyone tell you not to mix days of cardio with weight and to not be in the gym more than an hour.....whats up with that

[bigpunisher]

well how come everyone tell you not to mix days of cardio with weight and to not be in the gym more than an hour.....whats up with that

Not sure why people are telling you that because its fine to be in the gym more than an hour. Over training could be when you train a muscle one day and then you train it again the next. You muscle needs 48-72 to recover before you train that muscle group again. It is also fine to do cardio on days that you lift weights. Doing cardio might just make it harder to put size on because of the sweating and weight loss.

[king1]

I think nutrition and sleep cover overtraining to a certain extent. Once your CNS becomes overtrained (which depends a lot on how you train), you need to let it rest, and theres no way around that. Ive been training super heavy for the past 10 weeks, and soon im gonna be changing programs to give my CNS an overdue break.

[ghost]

no, there is no such thing as OVERTRAINING...just under-nurished....if you train your ass off, every day, but you are feeding the beast properly, you are square.

[navarro1]

thats why this is the best forum out there

[born0withno0soul]

no, there is no such thing as OVERTRAINING...just under-nurished....if you train your ass off, every day, but you are feeding the beast properly, you are square.

i agree with this. overtraining is bullshit. its called being under nourished and weak minded

[Hop]

Sleep and eat good you'll be fine

[Squat_Heavy]

If someone says overtraining isnt real, then you truly are the dumbest piece of shit ever. Anyone who think overtraining can't happen is a fucking retard. Yes i'll make that statement, its the fucking truth. Being hardcore doesn't equal being braindead. Entire training-programs are based on deliberate overtraining or uptil the that border, just go find many russian training programs and you will see what i am talking about. Just read how poliquinn trains many of his athletes.

[Squat_Heavy]

i agree with this. overtraining is bullshit. its called being under nourished and weak minded

GO train balls to walls benchpress EACH day and try to lift more or heavier EACH day, in 2-3weeks you are gonna drop 100lbs on your lifts.. Even if you smack down 15thousand calories and run deca through your system you are gonna be fucked within a month. Be serious, overtraining is real, the issue is to learn: nutrition, progression, periodically training and know when to rest.


Why do you guys think we have off-days? why we do deloads, why we sleep at all. If overtraining wasnt real you could just eat and lift 24/7 and grow. its simple logics-.

[prowrestler]

over training for sure exists. but i dont think its caused by the actual lifting itself. if your resting and eating enough you will not be overtrained. overtrained is when the muscle does not get enough time to recover before the next lift and therfore can not grow. if you are training each muscle once a week and packing away the food ( im not going to get into what food to eat, you should know if your on this forum) overtraining should not be an issue.
genetics yet again play a role in this. ecto's are more prone to overtraining.
steriods are an other factor, they allow for a faster recovery making overtraining a hard thing to acheive unless your a complete shit head in the gym and in the kitchen.

thats my view. thanks, daniel desmarchais

[born0withno0soul]

GO train balls to walls benchpress EACH day and try to lift more or heavier EACH day, in 2-3weeks you are gonna drop 100lbs on your lifts.. Even if you smack down 15thousand calories and run deca through your system you are gonna be fucked within a month. Be serious, overtraining is real, the issue is to learn: nutrition, progression, periodically training and know when to rest.


Why do you guys think we have off-days? why we do deloads, why we sleep at all. If overtraining wasnt real you could just eat and lift 24/7 and grow. its simple logics-.

there are certain extents to everyhting. if your stupid enough to trian chest everyday yes you will leadto injury. but people have also been stupid enough to overdose and die on water consumption. same category

[Squat_Heavy]

Yes, but overtraining still is real. How smart you train wasnt the subject here, it was a simple question--> does overtraining exist?---> YES. saying overtraing isnt real would be the same as saying you couldnt die from drinking to much water. just because you can avoid doesn't make it any less real.

[SomeDayI'llBeXL]

Hey Squat heavy, we arent fucking retards and we arent dumb pieces of shit, watch the name calling. On to the subjuect at hand.I personally dont think it exist, but thats my opinion. I think my boy John Defendis said it best and its already been posted on this thread a few times, its not overtraining, its under eating and resting. Now, im not telling everyone to go out and bench heavy 5 days a week. All Im saying is that if you want to knock out 50 sets for back, go ahead, just be sure to eat more than you usually would. There isnt just one program for everyone. Go out and find what works best for you.



Good Luck Brothers

[Squat_Heavy]

Hey Squat heavy, we arent fucking retards and we arent dumb pieces of shit, watch the name calling. On to the subjuect at hand.I personally dont think it exist, but thats my opinion. I think my boy John Defendis said it best and its already been posted on this thread a few times, its not overtraining, its under eating and resting. Now, im not telling everyone to go out and bench heavy 5 days a week. All Im saying is that if you want to knock out 50 sets for back, go ahead, just be sure to eat more than you usually would. There isnt just one program for everyone. Go out and find what works best for you.



Good Luck Brothers

Yes, if you don't face the fact that overtraining is real, i am gonna call you a fucking retard.