Body Solid G6B - Manual (Page 76)

S i g n s O f O v e r t r a i n i n g
In the quest for better health and fitness, it is sometimes difficult to quell
one’s enthusiasm and take a break from exercise. But if exercise is
leaving you more exhausted than energized, you could be suffering from
an acute case of overtraining. Individuals who excessively exercise are
risking more than poor performance; they’re risking their health. If you
recognize the following symptoms in yourself or a friend, it is essential
that you seek professional help.
DECREASED PERFORMANCE.
Slower reaction times, reduced speeds and lowered
endurance levels are all common signs of overtraining.
AGITATION, MOODINESS, IRRITABILITY
OR LACK OF CONCENTRATION.
Too much exercise and too little rest can wreak havoc on
the hormones, cause mood swings and create an
inability to concentrate.
EXCESSIVE FATIGUE AND MALAISE.
A body that never has a chance to fully recover from a
previous workout will continue to feel more and more
fatigued. some people describe this feeling as “heavy
legs.”
INCREASED PERCEIVED EFFORT
DURING NORMAL WORKOUTS.
Overtraining takes a toll on the body, and workouts that
were once a breeze can begin to feel like a grind.
CHRONIC OR NAGGING MUSCLE ACHES
OR JOINT PAIN.
Overused muscles and joints can cause constant aches,
which may go unnoticed until the body is given proper
rest.
MORE FREQUENT ILLNESSES AND
UPPER-RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.
Too much exercise taxes all of the body’s systems and
makes it more difficult to ward off infections.
INSOMNIA OR RESTLESS SLEEP.
During sleep the body has time to rest and repair itself. An
overtrained body, however, is sometimes unable to slow
down and completely relax, making it difficult to recover
between workouts.
LOSS OF APPETITE.
Overtraining can cause an increase in hormones such as
epinephrine and norepinephrine that tend to inhibit
appetite. The physical exhaustion and anxiety that often
comes with overtraining can also have the same effect.
CHRONICALLY ELEVATED HEART RATE
AT REST AND DURING EXERCISE.
A clear sign of an overworked heart muscle is a
chronically elevated heart rate. Also, people who
overtrain will often find that it takes longer for their heart
rate to return to normal after a workout.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE DISTURBANCES IN
WOMEN.
Exercising excessively and not consuming enough
calories may disrupt a women’s menstrual cycle. While
some may experience irregular periods, others will stop
menstruating altogether.
Here are signs of overtraining:
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