How much is overtraining?

Author: Dr. Kenneth Kirlin I  |  Last update: Monday, September 22, 2025

Unfortunately, there's no concrete answer to that question. For most people, the answer is… less. If you're training six or seven times per week but you're not training for a specific sport, event or competition, chances are you're overtraining.

How do I know if I am overtraining?

Training-related signs of overtraining
  • Unusual muscle soreness after a workout, which persists with continued training.
  • Inability to train or compete at a previously manageable level.
  • "Heavy" leg muscles, even at lower exercise intensities.
  • Delays in recovery from training.
  • Performance plateaus or declines.

How much is too much overtraining?

As a general rule, women's health specialist Felice Gersh, MD, said 90 minutes per day is the point when people become susceptible to overtraining syndrome and its associated symptoms.

Is 5 times a week overtraining?

Hitting each body part 5 times a week, with less than 48 hours rest before training a particular muscle group again, is overtraining. Doing 50--75 hard sets (not including warm-ups or abs) per week is good. Doing 120 sets a week is overtraining.

What is the 3-3-3 rule gym?

The 3 3 3 exercise routine is a structured workout plan designed to improve strength and endurance through its unique approach of repetition and sets. This method focuses on performing exercises in sets of three, with each set consisting of three different workouts, repeated three times.

How To Maximize Gains and NOT Overtrain | Overtraining Science Explained

What is the 30 60 90 rule gym?

The 30-60-90 interval training workout consists of three sets with three intervals. The first set includes three intervals of 30 seconds, followed by three intervals of 60 seconds and three intervals of 90 seconds. After each interval, rest for the length of the interval.

What is the 2 2 2 rule in gym?

The rule that both NSCA and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommend is the “2-for-2 rule.” After a few workout sessions, you can increase the weight for a certain exercise once you can perform two more repetitions beyond your repetition goal for the last set for two weeks in a row.

Is lifting 6x a week too much?

Can You Overtrain Lifting 6 Days A Week? Yes, you can overtrain lifting six days a week, and you could also overtrain even if you're only lifting 3, 4, or 5 days a week.

How do I know if I'm exercising too much?

The signs of overexercising and overtraining

Increased heart rate. Not feeling as strong. Lacking physical performance. Difficulty reaching fitness goals.

Is lifting twice a day overtraining?

Most people don't need to lift weights twice daily to reach their fitness goals. Doing so can increase your risk of injury and overtraining.

Is doing push ups every day overtraining?

Doing 100 push-ups a day can help build muscle mass, strength, and endurance, especially in your core and upper body. But it can also increase your risk of muscle imbalances, injury, and overtraining. It's important to focus on proper form when practicing push-ups.

Does overtraining age you?

After prolonged exercise, such as a 25-mile run, the body changes its metabolism, with a resulting increase in free radicals, atoms that can cause permanent damage to your cells and can also speed up the ageing process.

What is stage 1 overtraining syndrome?

In the first stage of overtraining syndrome, an increased production of stress hormones and a slight increase in sympathetic activity (the system that operates in immediate stressful situations such as fight or flight) are often involved.

What does an overused muscle feel like?

Symptoms of overuse injuries include: tingling, numbness, or pain in the affected area. stiffness or soreness in the neck or back. feelings of weakness or fatigue in the hands, arms, or legs.

Should I workout if I'm sore after 2 days?

"Working out when sore is okay as long as it isn't affecting your movement to the point where it's causing you to compensate and do something in a way that's unsafe," says Dr. Hedt. "Muscle soreness can be a deterrent to exercising, but it's temporary and the more you exercise, the less you should feel it.

Is working out 7 days a week too much?

Working out every day is okay as long as you do not overexert yourself. It's important to take care of your body so you can produce efforts that support your goals.

How long does it take to recover from overtraining?

Overtraining syndrome is different than feeling sore the day after a big workout or training session. It's a medical condition that causes physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Recovering can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.

How do I know if I've overdone it at the gym?

One of the most telling signs of overtraining is an uptick in injuries. When your body does not have adequate time to recover, your muscles, joints, and connective tissues become more susceptible to strains, sprains, and other injuries.

Can you train every day without overtraining?

Alternating between hard and easy days of training and taking one day off a week is the most effective way to prevent symptoms of overtraining, such as fatigue and fitness plateaus, according to a classic study of endurance athletes that was published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.

Is it bad to lift weights every day?

It's not necessary to lift weights every day, and if you do, you increase your risk for overuse injuries and overtraining syndrome. For most people, strength training two to three times a week is sufficient, but if you prefer to split training different muscle groups, then you can train up to five days a week.

Is one rest day a week enough?

Rest One or Two Days Per Week. For the best performance and to reach your goals in the safest and most effective way possible, plan for one to two rest days per week. Olenick recommended spacing these out — take one rest day mid-week and the other on the weekend, or in between bigger workouts.

What is the 90 10 rule gym?

Experienced fitness expert and author, Steven Farmer, explains how the 90/10 Fitness program—in which you get 90 percent of your results from just focusing on the 10 percent that matter—is the only way anyone should train, especially in a world with a million things that person needs to be doing.

What is the 48 hour rule gym?

Rest each muscle group for at least 48 hours to maximise gains in strength and size. Varying your workouts can help you push past a training plateau.

What is the 5 3 1 rule in gym?

The 5/3/1 method is a four-week cycle that requires four workouts per week. Each workout session centers on one core lift: the bench press, squat, deadlift, or shoulder press. The rep scheme is as follows: Week one: For each workout, perform three sets of five reps (three x five) of one lifting exercise.

Previous article
What hair is best for butterfly haircut?
Next article
How long does it take for fillers to look their best?