Overtraining issue

[2Powerful4u]

i didnt want to post this in the training section, since il get no responses at all there.

The issue of overtraining keeps being debated, and im not sure which side to believe. I used to grow fine when i was supposedly "overtraining". Results have kinda slowed since i knocked big bodyparts down to 12 sets n small to 9. All the old time bodybuilders did tons of sets, and they look pretty damn good. Im kinda lookin for a debate here with some support for their reasoning, so i can get things straight.

[arrowone]

reallyt no reason for debate bro just do what works the best for you and when it stops working try something else

[Jyzza]

It depends how long you have been bodybuilding for. For a long time bodybuilder it is hard to overtrain. For a young bodybuilder it is very easy.
I train like a mad man when on cycle. when off I still train w/ same intensity but fewer sets. I had the same dilemma as you.

What I did is cut down the # of sets and up the intensity to make up for it. It works fine for me on or off.

[DaSarge]

I am (finally) a HUGE believer in NOT OVERTRAINING.

I've been lifting for over 22 years.
I was trained by hard core "old school" lifters who only knew one way - lift heavy and often.
So, for years I followed suit.
I was the stereotypical gym rat.
I mean, six days a week, 2-3 hour sessions each time, each body part AT LEAST two times per week.
I worked out non-stop - year round. My only "breaks" were when I was sick or travelling.
This type of training works well when you are young and starting out.
Your body heals, grows, and recooperates faster.
I grew enormously for the first 5 years, and then the gains stopped.
I was fine where I was at, but was always striving for more. However, I could not grow.
Because of the way I was trained by my mentors, I didn't know any other way.
I read about "overtraining" and blew it off as coming from people who "didn't know what they were talking about".
However, like I said, I am now a huge believer in not overtraining.
I have recently, (in the last several years), stopped working out as much.
I still like doing some type of excercise six days a week (ya, i'm a little stubborn headed), but each bodypart is worked a maximum of once a week and the duration of my workouts is not longer than one hour.
I am now bigger, stronger, and in better shape than I've been in years.
(i'm currently 5'9" - 210lbs - 10%bf)
I can honestly say that I have gotten better results by training less (and smarter).
Don't make the mistake I've made.
Don't overtrain.

[morebeefplease]

everyone is different, you just have to switch it up and find what works best.

[Small]

Too many factors are involved to say "Yes" or "No", especially because we are not talking about natural athletes.
Genetics, will be the major one, obviously
Amount of drugs, you know it's a big difference if someone uses a few grams of test with a gram of deca and some orals, comparing to 400mg/week of Deca with 30mg/day of dbol.
Age, of course.
Amount of sleep, stress, activity, etc...
The bottom line is to adjust your routine to what is best for your growth, by trying and learning from mistakes.

[goliath.jr]

I mix it up. I like to use both styles at different times, or if I just start getting bored. I think the whole over-training thig is something that lazy people came up with to make themselves feel better about not going to the gym every night.

[DaSarge]

Originally posted by Small
Too many factors are involved to say "Yes" or "No", especially because we are not talking about natural athletes.
Genetics, will be the major one, obviously
Amount of drugs, you know it's a big difference if someone uses a few grams of test with a gram of deca and some orals, comparing to 400mg/week of Deca with 30mg/day of dbol.
Age, of course.
Amount of sleep, stress, activity, etc...
The bottom line is to adjust your routine to what is best for your growth, by trying and learning from mistakes.

You are 100% correct.
Genetics, drugs, age, diet, sleep, education, training technics, etc. all play a factor in ones ability to grow and gain.
When I was starting out and much younger, I could train like a mad man and never get tired. I grew like a weed.
As I aged, I realized that I needed much more rest and recovery time to continue to gain.
Soooo....for all you youngsters out there, enjoy it why you can!

[alwayzgrowing]

i beleive nutrtion plays an important roll in overtraining. the better nutrtion you have, the better recovery

[jack hust]

i just kepp mine simple short and sweet and my recovery time is great no more than 25-30 min per work out exp.cardio thats extra