The saying used to be Go hard or go home.
As a certified strength and conditioning specialist, this thoroughly freaks me out.
After just a couple weeks, fatigue hit hard.
Amber Venerable
Quick question: Why are we like this?
On a biological level, movement is an innate reaction to stress.
After all, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline, the fight-or-flight hormone) functions to mobilize the body.
Never mind that were home in the interest of our health and the health of others.
Going too hard can come with physical and mental risks.
Theres nothing wrong with adding challenge to your workout routine.
Its an important part ofanyfitness journey, right?
All of these physiological and psychological stressors add up; they blend together.
And as workload or stress increases, so does your biological need for recovery.
that allows them to push hard in intense workouts.
So viewers think they simply need to push and not recover.
Without the appropriate recovery, this can lead to hormonal, nutritional, and physical fatigue.
You dig yourself a physical hole that becomes very difficult to recover from, Tenney says.
Theres also the mental ramifications of go hard mentalities.
Heres how to strike a healthy balance when working out in a literal pandemic.
Okay, so where does that leave you and your workouts?
Shelving your workout completelyor going so light you dont feel challenged at allisnt the answer, either.
Here, experts share strategies for finding balance.
Its more than a platitude.
Studies show that even low-intensity, slow-paced activities ofanyduration can positively affect your physical health.
Consider how you’re able to diffuse some of your workout time and intensity throughout the day.
Training the same muscle groups back-to-back doesnt allow for adequate recovery.
Do you prefer cardio?
Circuits or long rest periods of rest between sets?
Use that to guide yourat-home workoutsto get the greatest enjoyment.
Intense, long, or otherwise challenging workouts can definitely have a place in your quarantine workout routine.
That may be because, yes, youve lost some strength or endurance.
It could also just be because youre stressed, not sleeping well, or struggling with your mental health.
Whatever the reason, its okay.
If theres ever been a time to practice self-compassion, this is it, Thomas says.
The benefits you stand to gain from exercise are not dependent on your current fitness or ability levels.
If you feel fatigue or malaise as you begin your workout, dont ignore it.
Its fine to reevaluate how you feel after 10 minutes to see whether the feeling persists.
You might experience a perk in energy and may want to keep going.
If so, cool.
Take a minute to think through your current exercise goals.
Plus, itll help you build a sustainable, lasting relationship with exercise.
Know you always have more options than what is presented to you, Tenney says.
