Dane Fletcher is the world's most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.
Overtraining is not a new phenomenon in bodybuilding. Overtraining is very common among novice bodybuilders, who think that there muscle gaining goals, can be accomplished in one day. What they fail to realize is that they are actually spoiling there chances of realizing there goals. There are others who over train even without knowing, thinking that they are perfecting there bodybuilding regimen. It is important to define overtraining to prevent many novice bodybuilders from falling in this trap. Over training involves training intensely for more than thirty minutes without subjecting the body to rest during the whole entire training session.
There are two ways in which a bodybuilder can over train. The first way is known as localised overtraining. This is the most common form of overtraining among novice bodybuilders as well as veteran bodybuilders. This type of overtraining affects specific muscle groups and neglects other muscle groups. It occurs when you place too much stress on your muscles and fail to give the muscles enough time to recover. It also occurs if you do not give your body adequate nutrition and yet you are undertaking intense training. It occurs when you train specific muscle groups for a consecutive period of time frequently and yet you are not getting adequate rest between the workouts or at night when you are sleeping. When you train your supporting muscles successively without resting you could also experience localised overtraining. The people who are prone to localised overtraining are power lifters.
Systemic overtraining is not as common as localised overtraining. Despite the fact that they are less frequent, when they do occur the consequences are often very serious. Systemic overtraining will make your body to experience a negative nitrogen balance and this will lead to a catabolic state. When the body is in the catabolic state it will start producing a lot of cortisol. This hormone is usually produced by the adrenal cortex when you are experiencing stress. The presence of Cortisol in the body has the effect preventing the muscles to repair, decreases the testosterone production, inhibits the synthesis of proteins, and it also inhibits the growth of the muscles. The presence of this hormone will also prevent the body from burning fat in order to generate energy. When this happens a bodybuilder will experience an increase in the percentage of stored body fat. No matter how hard you train to develop your muscles, this will all be in vain since your body fat will hide your muscles.
In order to know if you are overtraining there are various signs which you have to look out for. The first sign involves an elevated morning pulse which is ten beats more than the normal pulse rate. Other physical symptoms include; high blood pressure, frequent muscle soreness, and frequent ailments such as the common cold. There are other psychological symptoms such as; insomnia, irritability, mood swings, and depression. The psychological symptoms will only become visible if you have overtrained for months.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Turn Your Toned Abs into Shredded Abs
By: Rusty Moore | 08/11/2009If you have a decent six pack, but need a bit of extra sharpness than this approach will help you get there.
How to Get a Big Chest – 4 Exercises You Must Do
By: Justin Dravsnik | 06/11/2009One of the most commonly asked questions so many aspiring bodybuilders want to know is “How to Get a Big Chest”. Why? Because having a thick, muscular chest is very impressive to say the least. Whether your goal is to compete as a professional bodybuilder, or you are just out to impress the girls, learning how to get a big chest should be your number one priority.
Bodybuilding At 40 And Beyond
By: Ricardo D Argence | 05/11/2009When bodybuilding beyond 40, you need a longer cycle that will give your body the rest it needs. Because it's not accustomed to this sudden exercise, your body needs time to recover. hese are simple tips for anyone interested in bodybuilding over 40. If you have other questions, or you're worried about hurting yourself, ask for a trainer to help you. A trainer will be able to show you how to get the best out of your body. You can also visit my website if you want to find more tips and workouts.
How To Get A Muscular Physique In No Time
By: Dane Fletcher | 05/11/2009If you want to increase your muscles mass there is a way you can be able to achieve this without using steroids. This will involve eating healthy meals, adequate weight training exercises and resting. The reason why you need to avoid steroids in your quest to develop a muscular physique is to avoid the potential negative side effects, which ruins muscle growth all together.
Learn The Basics To Increase Muscle Growth Faster
By: Dane Fletcher | 05/11/2009Many young people dream of getting muscles so that they can look like the male models they watch on TV. We all know that when you look good you also feel great about yourself. When you grow your muscles you will be able to significantly boost your self esteem and confidence. In bodybuilding the sole agenda is to increase your muscle gain period. In order to succeed in increasing your muscle gain you need to stick to a productive and intense workout regimen.
Exercises To Build Bigger Triceps
By: James Hart | 05/11/2009A list of exercises for building more muscle on your triceps
Persistency Is The Key For Success In Bodybuilding
By: Dane Fletcher | 04/11/2009Your main goal should be to burn fat and increase your body muscles. The two goals are intertwined since in order to lose your body fat you need to increase your body muscles. Your muscles will determine your rate of metabolism, the more muscles you have the higher your metabolism rate is going to be. A high body metabolism means that you will burn a lot of fat. You need to lose your body fat also so that your muscles can become well defined.
The Major Problems With Weight Gain Pills
By: Greg Gallon | 04/11/2009Find out what you're not being told about weight gain pills.
How To Get A Muscular Physique In No Time
By: Dane Fletcher | 05/11/2009 | BodybuildingIf you want to increase your muscles mass there is a way you can be able to achieve this without using steroids. This will involve eating healthy meals, adequate weight training exercises and resting. The reason why you need to avoid steroids in your quest to develop a muscular physique is to avoid the potential negative side effects, which ruins muscle growth all together.
Learn The Basics To Increase Muscle Growth Faster
By: Dane Fletcher | 05/11/2009 | BodybuildingMany young people dream of getting muscles so that they can look like the male models they watch on TV. We all know that when you look good you also feel great about yourself. When you grow your muscles you will be able to significantly boost your self esteem and confidence. In bodybuilding the sole agenda is to increase your muscle gain period. In order to succeed in increasing your muscle gain you need to stick to a productive and intense workout regimen.
Understanding Proper Gym Etiquette
By: Dane Fletcher | 05/11/2009 | WellnessMany people are not aware that when you are in the gym there are certain modes of behavior which you have to adhere to. Bodybuilding is a sport of gentlemen and you therefore have to behave accordingly when you are in the gym. Some people have been banned from going to there local gym because they always end up rubbing other bodybuilders the wrong way when they are there. In order to avoid this you have to familiarize yourself with the gym etiquettes so that you avoid any future embarrassments.
The Enigma of Steroid Use
By: Dane Fletcher | 04/11/2009 | Alternative MedicineWhat many parents who have had their teenagers, mostly sons using steroids have been left in a state of disbelief and sometimes depressing recollections of what went wrong, or even when did all the madness began. Many who try to recollect their son's behaviors are left speechless when they realize their sons have been abusing steroids, most of the time in their homes. Some of these steroids are kept from the interested eye on drawers in their rooms, or in more secret places.
Persistency Is The Key For Success In Bodybuilding
By: Dane Fletcher | 04/11/2009 | BodybuildingYour main goal should be to burn fat and increase your body muscles. The two goals are intertwined since in order to lose your body fat you need to increase your body muscles. Your muscles will determine your rate of metabolism, the more muscles you have the higher your metabolism rate is going to be. A high body metabolism means that you will burn a lot of fat. You need to lose your body fat also so that your muscles can become well defined.
What You Should Know About Fad Diets
By: Dane Fletcher | 04/11/2009 | WellnessWe need to understand some basic facts about obesity. A lot of people tend to think that if you are overweight it then naturally you have a metabolic disorder. An example of metabolic disorder which could make you overweight is thyroid disorder. However there are some cases where you are obese and yet you do not have any metabolic disorder. The reason why you could be obese is simply because you are eating plenty of junk food or eating a lot of food which is more than your nutrition requirement.
What You Should Know About Prednisone In The Nature of Steroidal Uses
By: Dane Fletcher | 03/11/2009 | Alternative MedicineAs steroids face a lot harmful controversy towards their credibility, the way they have offered people a solution to their health and bodybuilding goals is sometimes incorrigible, more so when it comes to steroidal medicines such as prednisone. It is widely known as a good anti-inflammatory medical drug that is usually used for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis or its equivalents. In its usage, the steroidal medicine has been known to decrease some effects seen as undesirable, as well as t
Four Hardcore Training Methods For Fast Muscle Gains
By: Dane Fletcher | 03/11/2009 | BodybuildingTechniques that boost intensity are typically unpleasant and are not meant to be done on a regular basis. If done on a regular basis, (the likes of which you'll find below) overtraining will be the sure result. Use a technique (like these) just once every week or two to stimulate growth and activity within the muscle that would not be otherwise stimulated.