Spring is the perfect time to get out and get serious about working out. The nice weather makes it easy to go outside to run, walk or train. Whether you are participating in marathons, jogging around the neighborhood, or religiously making those 5 am trips to the gym, it is easy to take your efforts too far when trying to reach a goal. While you may not even realize you are doing it, overtraining can have serious consequences.

No matter what kind of shape you are in, it is possible to push yourself too hard, too fast. When this happens and the body is pushed beyond its natural ability to recover, you could suffer from what is known as overtraining. Overtraining is especially common among people who fail to give the body enough time to rest and recover. Everyone’s body is different. There is no set formula for how much time you should work out and how much time you should give your body to recover. There are several warning signs, however, that indicate that you may be overtraining.

Signs of Overtraining signs of overtraining

Long-Term Soreness: Soreness after a hard workout is naturally. This is especially true among people who are new to working out. When the soreness doesn’t resolve within a couple days, though, it is a sign that you need to take a rest to let your body recover.

Exhaustion: It is also normal to feel tired following a good exercise session. Once you’ve rested a bit, though, you should experience improved alertness and an increased metabolism. If you are feeling that your energy levels are remaining low for several days – even after sleeping well – you may be working your body too hard.

Plateauing Results: Over time, your performance should improve. Whether your goal is to lose weight, run faster, or lift more weight, you should see results with continued exercise. If your progress stops or your notice a decrease in performance, you might be overtraining.

Illness: When you work out too much, it could start having an impact on your immune system. If you are working out heavily and getting sick more frequently than usual, give yourself a rest.

How Physical Therapists Prevent Overtraining

Working with a physical therapist is one way to prevent overtraining. Your Denver physical therapist can help you create a workout regimen that is suited to your body, your current health and condition, and your goals. A therapist can also help you recover from any injuries or strains you may experience during the training process. To learn more about how physical therapists prevent overtraining or to schedule an appointment with a top Denver physical therapist, contact Denver Physical Medicine today.