Are you overtraining?

May 25th, 2007 at 07:26am Aspen Life 373

by Tom Pazdernik

Every so-called fitness expert out there has their own definition and ideas about over training. In my opinion, it is simply training more than you are able to recover, thus leading to decreased physical performance and/or injury. With the recent run of poor weather, you can bet that many Aspenites will over-do-it with exercise this holiday weekend.

Now it is my opinion that if you have the time to focus on proper nutrition, rest, supplementation, etc., then it is very difficult to over train. However, where we get into trouble is times like these. You haven’t been on your bike or out for a hike the past few days due to the weather (I know, I know some of you are hardcore enough to go anyway). So the first nice day you decide to make up for lost time and go farther then you normally would. Being a holiday weekend you have parties, picnics, and bar-b-ques to attend, all the while going for long rides and hikes where you can fit them in. This is when you start overreaching. Doing more exercise than normal without adequate recovery. Consistently overreaching will eventually lead to over training.

From time-to- time every athlete from professional to recreational will overreach. The key is to recognize it and slow down. This valley is plagued with overuse injuries because people do not recognize they are overreaching. A couple easy tips to avoid over training and the negative consequences that go along with it: 1) Plan at least one off day a week 2) cross-train, if you lift everyday or cycle everyday, you are over training; but if you do a combo you will be far less likely to get injured 3) Eat a lot of nutrient dense food, the tougher the work-out the more you should eat 4) Get a good night sleep, your muscles recover most while we are sleeping. Do you need a personal trainer to get you started or tweak your routine, call the Aspen Club and Spa for a free session with a Personal Trainer. (970) 925-8900

Entry Filed under: Health, Fitness, Basalt, Snowmass, Aspen, Pitkin County, Cycling, Aspen Life Post, Aspen Club & Spa