How much is too much exercise?

Author: Lorna VonRueden  |  Last update: Saturday, December 6, 2025

The Department of Health and Human Services does not specify an upper limit of exercise at which this condition becomes a risk. As a general rule, women's health specialist Felice Gersh, M.D., said 90 minutes per day is the point when people become susceptible to overtraining syndrome and its associated symptoms.

How much exercise is too much for a day?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of exercise that is too much per day will vary depending on your age, fitness level, and overall health. However, a general rule of thumb is to avoid exercising for more than 2 hours per day, as this can increase your risk of overtraining and injury.

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

  • You can know when you've worked out too much, if you experience the following symptoms:
  • Unwanted weight loss
  • If you are unable to perform at the same level
  • Excessive sweating
  • Lack of enjoyment in the work out.
  • Stiffness or soreness in muscles
  • Feeling of tiredness or exhaustion
  • Having problem sleeping

Is gym 5 times a week too much?

Yes, working out 5-6 times a week is generally considered safe and beneficial for overall health and fitness, as long as you allow adequate recovery time and follow a balanced exercise routine. It's important to consult with a doctor before starting a new workout routine and adjust frequency and intensity as needed.

Is working out 2 hours a day too much?

Yes, two hours of exercise daily is too much for most people. Too much exercise can lead to overtraining, which can have serious health consequences. It is generally recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and strength training twice a week.

Track & Sprinting Warm-Up | Stuart McMillan & Dr. Andrew Huberman

What are the symptoms of over exercising your heart?

Common signs of cardiac problems during exercise

A person may feel constant fatigue, tiredness, chest discomfort, heaviness, or profuse sweating during or after exercise. These could be indicators of a likely heart attack and should not be ignored.

Is working out for 3 hours too much?

If your goal is to improve your health and reduce your risk of a range of conditions from diabetes to heart disease to cancer, then 2.5 to 3 hours of moderate to vigorous exercise per week gets you the vast majority of benefits, Dr. Levine said.

How do you know if you're overtraining?

When you're trying to tell if you're dealing with overtraining, consider these common symptoms:
  • Your Performance Declines. The hallmark sign of overtraining, Dr. ...
  • Fatigue and Soreness Ramp Up. ...
  • You Get Sick or Injured More Easily. ...
  • Sleeping Gets Harder. ...
  • Your Mood Changes. ...
  • Other Physical Symptoms Pop Up.

Can you overdo cardio?

Charlotte Weidenbach, a Peloton Instructor and doctor, says it is actually possible to do too much cardio. “'Too much' refers to a situation where the body's capacity to recover from the stress of exercise is exceeded. It's called overtraining or excessive cardio,” she says.

Is working out 7 days a week bad?

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.

What counts as excessive exercise?

Over-exercising is when we do more exercise than our body can handle. This can include doing too much exercise or exercising in an unsafe way, or not eating enough food alongside exercising. Over-exercising is different for different people. One person might feel ok doing a certain amount of exercise.

How much is overtraining?

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 you know if you're exercising too much?

Here are some symptoms of too much exercise:
  • Being unable to perform at the same level.
  • Needing longer periods of rest.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Being depressed.
  • Having mood swings or irritability.
  • Having trouble sleeping.
  • Feeling sore muscles or heavy limbs.
  • Getting overuse injuries.

Does walking count as exercise?

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

What is the best exercise to live longer?

One way is to increase your cardiovascular endurance. Working up to longer rides or runs, for example, is a great way to increase your VO2 max and, in turn, add years to your life. Dr. Roizen adds that cardiovascular exercises—including walking—have been repeatedly scientifically linked to longevity.

Should I do cardio or weights first?

If you are training for a 5K or a marathon, you will want to do cardiovascular training first for maximum performance. If you want to increase your muscle strength, do strength training first when your muscles are not fatigued from cardio.

Is it okay to work out every day?

To be more specific, cardiorespiratory exercises can be done every day. However, you should not work the same muscle group(s) every day with resistance training (also known as strength training). Muscles need between 24-48 hours to recover before working that same muscle group(s) again.”

Can you damage your heart by exercising too hard?

But in some cases, extreme exercise can damage the heart. Research is showing that a small percentage of middle-aged and older athletes who compete in endurance events over many years may be at higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – and other heart problems.

How do you know if your body is in a catabolic state?

However, if you find yourself chugging gallons and never feeling satisfied, it could be a sign that you're in a catabolic state. In that case, your body is consuming muscle tissue for protein since your diet isn't providing enough to recover after a workout.

Can you workout 7 days a week?

Working out seven days a week can actually be an amazing way to keep active and healthy. Dr. Bohl tells us, "Working out seven days a week isn't necessarily a bad thing—in fact, it can be a great way to stay active and healthy.

How many hours is excessive exercise?

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

Should I workout if I only slept 3 hours?

You won't accomplish much through a sleep-deprived workout except more exhaustion and maybe some resentment toward exercise. There's a clear link between sleep and fitness: Research shows that inadequate sleep negatively affects athletic performance while adequate sleep improves performance.

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