STRESS IS STRESS

One of the biggest mistakes age groupers make is thinking of their training in a silo… separated from the rest of their life and the stressors within it.

It is part of the reason that static training plans, a rigid structure and even ‘AI’ based training is inferior to real 1:1 Coaching… life is moving and evolving and we are not robots

If the body is already in a stressed state then it is going to be less likely to be able to absorb training stimulus. Such stressors may include a few nights of poor sleep, a looming work deadline or sickness…

It’s not to say don’t train at all in these instances (we are big advocates of moving and ‘exercising’ everyday) but adjusting the intensity, duration and intent of sessions in these cases is highly effective in managing overall load, and, maintaining consistency in training and in life.

Finally, many will say they need (want?) to train hard to ‘blow off steam’ in order to manage certain stressors but from a physiological point of view that’s not how it works. The body is less likely to be able to yield the intended benefits of the hard stimulus and you’re more likely to increase risk of illness or injury. Better to keep it on the lighter side.

Stay pragmatic.