Why Is Overtraining So Bad?

Answer:

Overtraining essentially means that you're giving your body more work than it can physically recover from and it will break itself down (lose muscle) rather than build itself up. Overtraining can easily kill any progress you're making in your training and even set you back.

Everyone is different as to how much training they can do before overtraining. Some people, who are known as "hardgainers" cannot tolerate much before slipping into overtraining.

Hardgainers must be especially aware of the signs of overtraining. Some people can tolerate huge volumes of training and still get great results.

You will know if you are overtraining if you have one of more of the following symptoms:

• rapid resting heart rate (about ten beats per minute over your usual resting heart rate). Check this first thing in the morning after you wake up to get an accurate comparison.
  
• elevated blood pressure
  
• decreased desire to train
  
• decreased strength
  
• impaired immune system function (repeated or lasting illness)
  
• general tiredness
  
• decreased sex drive
  
• loss of appetite
• susceptibility to injuries
  

• how much sleep you're getting
  
• quality and quantity of nutrition (including supplements)
  
• quantity and intensity of training
  
• training level
  
• stress levels