Exercising too much

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Can this become an obsession? Rhetorical question, of course it can. But how much is too much?

I worked out about 4 hours very vigorously the other day. It felt really good. I am in decent shape. For some reason, feeling real sore all over is a pleasant sensation for me. It seems like an hour or two doesn't feel sufficient anymore. I could need to find something more demanding over shorter periods and vary things up a bit. What are the downsides of spending too much time doing physical exercise?

You get stronger, your brain gets more oxygen, your appetite improves, you lose weight, look better - short of straining a muscle, I don't really see a down side. When I first started working out, I did 4 hours a day, but I was unemployed and didn't have anything better to do at the time. Now its about an hour to 90 minutes a day. I'd say if you aren't injuring yourself by doing a lift incorrectly or something, there isn't anything about exercise that's going to hurt you.

Most of my workouts are short and heavy/fast. I don't like to devote so much time.

I used to get angry at a guy I knew for giving health tips based on "common knowledge." This is why.

Yes, you can work out too much. A simple Google search led to this page.

I can't find the research, but I've heard that too much exercise can also impact your health in other ways (damaging your heart and whatnot). You also have to consider the fact that, if you're doing things like lifting weights or resistance exercises, your muscles are tearing. You have to get enough protein and enough rest for them to heal. If you work out to the point that your body can't heal all the tears during your resting periods (sleep), that's a problem.

Four hours of vigorous workout can be a bit much, depending on the workout. I would cut it back. Again, it depends on the workout.

Edit: Found one article. I'll see about finding others.

Good stuff Mr Loony. It is about what I expected. Time is an issue with me too, or I would probably be at it more. I don't lift weights much these days, at least not heavy heavy.

The 4 hour workout might have been more of a need to burn off some extra energy. I ran like 11 miles outside then went to the gym where I did that rock climbing and bike training. I then lifted my legs, lower back, and abs for about an hour doing moderate weight with high reps. The thing is I felt like I could have kept going on for another few hours. It isn't like I am not going at it hard. I am usually dripping in my own perspiration and breathing heavily before I back off. It is a great stress release, but I don't want to fall over from cardiac failure. Like I said, maybe I should take up boxing or something that is more demanding.

Be careful you don't fall victim to the endorphins.

Other than that... Does your gym offer personal trainers? They might be able to help you figure out a workout routine that's right for you. Of course, everyone is different, and you may very well be able to get in more exercise than most people can. It also depends on your fitness level, and, like I said, the exercises you do. Running for 11 miles isn't likely to cause you cardiac failure (depending on fitness level, of course, but I doubt you'd be running 11 miles unless your fitness level was enough that it wouldn't cause you cardiac failure... doing it every day might be a little much, but I can't say for sure). I don't think low/moderate weights with high reps (this is one of the problems with talking about how long you work out) would, either.

Personally, I'd say that if you really want to get in a good workout every day, 2-2 1/2 hours is probably a good way to go. Alternate the muscle groups that you exercise and do an hour or so of running every day. That way, you'll ensure that you don't exercise too much or too little. Again, though, ask someone at your gym about getting a personal trainer.

Edit: By the way, my reasoning behind the two hour thing is this: When figuring out your caloric intake, there's a maximum, but there's also a minimum. The thing is, the minimum is the ABSOLUTE minimum. As in, "Don't dare go under this." In reality, if your minimum caloric intake is, say, 2300, you should be shooting for 2500 at least (if you're trying to lose weight). My logic behind the 2-2 1/2 hour exercise is the same. There is an ABSOLUTE maximum you should exercise. This provides some padding for a couple reasons. First is that you may not be able to exercise as much as the average person of your fitness level. Second is in case something comes up and you need to exert yourself later in the day.

I am fairly athletic and played some sports, so I am not sure a personal trainer would do much for me. Since I know how to do the things that I do, I see a trainer as more of a motivational tool, and right now I don't motivation is a factor. Maybe, you're right and I can at least talk with someone.


A second question I have is what are some of the more rigorous sports to try? I would really like to get into top condition and learn to modify my diet better as I get older. I would like to become more active in outdoor sports like climbing and underwater sports than I am now. I should probably learn how to dance better, but I am hard pressed seeing myself in those classes. Thanks for your help.

The reason I suggest a personal trainer is that they will be able to judge how fit you are and how much exercise you can do in a day.

You know there is a point at which your body will let you know you've gone far enough, by refusing to do any more. Its called exhaustion.

Yeah... actually, people die while overexercising because they push themselves too far. Google: Marathon death. And, again, there's also long-term damage to consider.

Edit: Keep in mind that people die running in marathons because of heart damage that doesn't heal for several days. If you're doing vigorous exercises every day, the damage builds on top of damage from earlier.