OVER-EXERCISING? IS THAT A THING?

Changing your workout Routine

Would you believe me if I told you there is such a thing as over-exercising?

We all heard the saying that “to much of a good thing is bad for you,” exercise is no different. But it is not what you exercise but rather how you train it that can become the problem. Doing the same thing for too long will eventually be detrimental if not managed correctly. It is important to switch things up.

Why you ask? Here’s what we think:

Overuse Injuries

From running to swimming and even lifting weights, Overuse injuries are the most prevelant in these areas because of the repetition of certain movements in certain muscles.

When workouts aren’t cycled, people are using the same muscles in the same ways over and over and over. This can be seen outside of exercise with texting, at the computer, playing video games, or carrying bags. Although overuse injuries is typically a result of some level of incorrect form, the bottom line is that the same muscles are doing the same work. So changing up your workouts automatically demands new muscles to work, or using the same muscles in different ways, thus minimizing the overuse injuries.

Work New Muscles

The same workouts use the same muscles, we know this.

This repetition will ultimately max results at some point. Keeping the same workouts for long periods of time doesn’t incorporate activation of new muscles. But a different exercise on the same muscle group will require different components of the muscles to fire and can ultimately add to your results! Using different muscle groups assists in the function and health of the overall body. New stimulation will perk up the body in new ways, so doing this will advance your health. It can even help keep your brain healthy!

One way to do this is to ask it to perform new physical tasks, such as new exercises. The brain has to concentrate and focus more intently and learn to build new pathways, thus new exercises support health and youth of the brain.

Plateau

Do you feel like you are unable to reach the goals you set? Maybe this is because the body is like a machine and finds the most efficient way to burn less calories, to expend the least effort for the greatest results.

When the body is frequently doing the same work again and again, it will ultimately plateau. To put it in perspective this when you aren’t achieving the results from your workouts, meaning there’s less muscle growth or a stop in the weight reduction.

Switching up your workouts prevents the body from getting stagnant in its performance level, thereby allowing you to break through the plateau.

Lastly,

Switching up your workouts will limit the risk of boredom, which is ultimately the biggest movement killer of the all. Your workout cycles need life and spice just like anything else. Health requires movement. Providing new movement and new activities facilitate new health and life, and remember, we arent saying don’t do the same exercise twice but plan a routine for a month and then change it up as you go into the next month.

Cheers,

Team Hughes Chiropractic

(Blog post is written from a combination of my experiences and the various research I have read over time).