How Much Strength Training is Too Much Strength Training?

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Strength Training?

This is one of the most common strength questions out there. How often should you do strength training? Every day? Two hours a day? While the truth really is that it depends, we have some guidelines to help you out:

There is such a thing as too much weight training. First and foremost, don't strength train every day. Take at least one day off for all your muscles to rest. Remember, your body doesn't build muscle when you're working out but when you're recovering. And definitely don't work out the same muscle groups multiple days in a row. Make a rotation that works all the muscle groups. Remember, strength training should be intense when you train, but the regimen should be approached logically.

So How Much is Enough?

Now for how long. No strength workout should take more than 60 minutes, including warm-up. Anything much longer than that can lead to injury. Most likely your workouts should be between 30-60 minutes, if you do the right number of reps and take timely breaks between different sets.

And as always, listen to your body. If something is too strenuous try to find an easier form that works the same muscles. Strength training, unlike other forms of fitness, needs to be treated with caution and respect.

If you're a strength coach, what other tips do you have? Can you elaborate on anything in this article?