Why More is Not Better

Tellme if you’ve seen this Facebook or Twitter status before, “Crushed the gym thisPM, back at it in the morning. #grind”

Ok,so maybe this shows how my Facebook and Twitter feeds are littered with yourtypical meatheads and workout-a-holics. But, it reveals a very important point that seems to be ignored inworkouts: more is not always better. Better is better.

Letme know if you’ve heard these two scenarios before:

A)This person is a runner and since they need to increase their time per mile,they decide to simply run more miles. They think “if I can run 10 miles in X time, I can run my next 10K (6.2miles) even faster!”   Then, this persongets sick and misses a few days of running, so they decide to step it up evenfurther and run 12 miles four or five times during a week.

B)This person is a weight room fiend, and decides they want to get as jacked aspossible.  If they go to the gym 5-6times a week, for at least 60-90 minutes each time, they’re going to gethuge.  Right?  Right!?!

Ok,confession time.  I’ve been both of thosepeople.

Believeme, I’ve learned first hand that more is rarely better.  In fact, I can tell you after having shoulderimpingement, a strained bicep, strained pec, pulled glute, wrist tendinosis,and chronic back pain, that I’m a living example of doing too much.

Sowhat’s next?  There’s no need to talkabout cortisol, hormones, or your body’s immunoresponse (yes, your immunesystem is quite active after you work out) as long as you focus on quality ineverything.  Quality work at the gym,quality sleep, quality food, and quality rest. You may not want to believe it, but rest days really are as important asyour workout days.

Theaverage length of my workouts?  45minutes, three or four times a week. That includes all foam rolling, activation, mobility, strength andconditioning work.  And believe it or not, since I started taking a more time efficient point of view at the gym, my gains have really increased.

For all of youworkout overachievers out there, realize that there really is a time and placefor moderation.