Potential Problems of Too Much Exercise

Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? While exercising is something that many people do not get enough of, it is important to be careful not to overdo it by working out too frequently or for long periods at a time. Logically, it would seem that the more you exercise, the more results you will see, but that is not the necessarily the case. It is actually possible to do more harm than good when overtraining.

Lack of Results

First and foremost, constant exercising will not help you see faster results. In fact, you will notice the opposite taking place. Muscles need time to rest in between workouts. Every time they are challenged, they are forced to rebuild, and become stronger than they were before in order to handle the extra resistance. Without that rest, they cannot recover properly, and will begin to lose size and strength. Bodybuilders know that muscle growth does not take place in the gym, it happens over night when you are asleep. A full day's rest is imperative for consistent and healthy gains. Make sure that you take a day off before working out the same body part, and it is also recommended to take two days off in a row at the end of a week or month. This will give your muscles extra time to rest, and stimulate even more growth with the unanticipated workout they will receive after the two days.

Injuries

Whether you are lifting weights or doing aerobic exercises, prolonged activity on any given area will most likely put excessive stress on that area, making it prone to injuries. For example, doing sit ups for a long stretch of time is likely to make your back hurt. You'll find it hard to do routine activity, let alone exercise. Multiple days, or weeks, of forced rest accomplish the reverses of what you originally set out to do. At that point, you will have to take a step or two back, and build up to the same level you'd previously reached. Pulled hamstrings, shin splints, and even bone fractures can occur if pain is ignored during a workout. Your body is sending you signals at all times, and when you're performing intense physical training, it is especially vital to listen to them. At the first hint of any pain or discomfort, stop and evaluate the situation. Trying to work through the pain might seem like a good idea at the time because of your adrenaline level, but in the long run, it will cancel out the positive effects you are achieving.

Challenging without Overtraining

Although overtraining is a serious problem for athletes, a distinction is necessary. If you are in the middle of an exercise and it is difficult to squeeze out the last one or two repetitions, that is not considered overtraining. You should always be challenging your body and setting new levels. The difference between fatigue from your thirty minute workout and exhaustion from an injury risking, two hour exercise session should be clear. Only you can determine what your body is capable of and its limits. If you are uncertain about your situation, check with your doctor or personal trainer to see what amount of exercising will work the best for you.

Sources: http://men.webmd.com/guide/exercise-addiction

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/72307.php

http://www.something-fishy.org/whatarethey/exercise.php

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