This topic came up in a check-in with a member recently—and honestly, it’s something I’ve had to talk through with many people over the years. It usually starts with a well-meaning desire to do it all: run, cycle, swim, lift, CrossFit, stretch, recover, repeat. The belief that more = more. More gains, more progress, more results.
But here's the truth: there’s a limit, and pushing past it—without awareness—can take a real toll.
The Conversation That Sparked This.
In this recent chat, a member shared how much she loves all kinds of movement—running, cycling, swimming—and now, she’s excited to add CrossFit to her routine. At the moment, she’s running three times a week and wants to do CrossFit three times a week too. That leaves one “rest day,” which, in her case, isn’t really a rest day at all (think socialising, life admin etc…).
When we broke it all down, it became pretty clear: there’s a lot on her plate, and while it all feels doable now, the signs of overload were starting to show. Fatigue, inconsistent energy, little tweaks that don’t go away. That creeping sense of “something’s off.” Sound familiar?
The Subtle Signs You Might Be Training Too Much.
Sometimes it’s not obvious, especially if you love training. You just think you’re a little tired, or maybe work’s been stressful. But if you’re noticing any of these, it’s worth checking in with yourself:
You're always sore—even after easy days
Your sleep is off, or you’re constantly exhausted
Your performance is plateauing or going backwards
You’re irritable, anxious, or losing motivation
Little injuries keep popping up
You're craving junk or feeling emotionally drained
Exercise is amazing—but it is a stressor. Especially something like CrossFit. Think about it: high intensity, heavy weights, gymnastic movements, cardiovascular demand, all packed into 60 minutes. It's not just a workout—it’s a full-body challenge.
Training Smarter, Not Just Harder.
Let me be clear—this isn’t about judging anyone's routine or saying there’s a “right” way. It’s about being aware of what your body’s experiencing and giving it a chance to recover.
I love that more and more people are finding joy in fitness, exploring different modalities, and discovering what their bodies can do. It’s genuinely exciting to see. But to really thrive long term, you have to manage the load.
That might mean:
Swapping a high-intensity day for a low-impact session
Actually taking your rest day seriously (yes, Netflix counts)
Periodising your training instead of hammering everything all at once
Listening when your body says "not today"—and not feeling guilty about it
My Personal Rule: Choose What Gives You the Best Bang for Your Buck.
I get the temptation to do everything—I’ve been there. And some days, I still try. But I’ve learned (the hard way) that trying to do everything often means I’m not doing anything well. So now, I ask myself:
What’s going to give me the most energy, the most joy, and move me closest to my goals?
That’s where I put my focus. Because more isn’t always more. More is only better when it’s intentional.
If you’re reading this and nodding along, take it as your sign to pause and reassess. Training is meant to build you up—not wear you down. And sometimes, the strongest thing you can do… is take a step back.
Let your body catch up with your ambition. It’ll thank you for it.
