Why Working Out More Can Actually Get You Worse Results

Think working out more always means better results? Think again. After coaching thousands of training sessions I can tell you most people need the opposite. When it comes to your career there is generally a direct correlation of what you put in is what you get out, so if you work harder you see better results. When it comes to relationships the more you invest the more the relationship tends to grow. When it comes to skills like playing guitar the more you play the better you get. But health and fitness plays by a different set of rules.

The Bell Curve of Exercise

Exercise follows a bell curve. Like watering a plant: too little and it dies, too much and it dies. The problem so many people experience is that they have been trying so many things for so long they usually end up on the downtrend of the bell curve. They are simply doing too much. This is where most people go wrong.

We’ve all heard “move more, eat less”. Add in the “grind mode” mentality, and suddenly all balance is lost. The all or nothing approach is one that I regularly have to help clients through and help you avoid it altogether.  

How to Know You're Doing The Right Amount of Exercise

So what is the right amount of exercise? How do you know if you are doing the right amount? And what does a realistic plan look like? Well, it depends. Every person is different and different stages of life will call for different inputs. But the simplest answer is this: If exercise feels like it is adding to your life and not taking it over you are likely close to the right answer.

How to Tell If You're Overtraining

Start here:

• 2-3 hours of structured strength training per week 

• 2-4 short daily walks

• Adjust down if you’re in a high-stress season

It is important to start listening to your body to find the right answer. Are you getting good sleep, do you feel like you are recovering from your workouts, are you seeing progression in strength, energy, and how you look and feel? If you aren’t seeing all these things it's time to reassess your plan. This week, track how you feel after each workout. If energy, recovery, and progress are dipping, it may be time to pull back - not push harder. Don’t get stuck working too hard for little to no results just because a random influencer on Instagram said that's what they do. Take the time to learn what your body needs and is telling you, enjoy your life, and don’t fall into the trap of more work = better results lie.

If you’re not sure where your sweet spot is, let’s figure it out together. Book a free strategy session today.

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