What are the health risks of excessive exercise?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 34-year-old male who is concerned about fitness. I go to the gym for weight training in the morning and then do some heavy cardio exercise in the evening. I recently stumbled upon some information suggesting that too much exercise could be bad. Is it true? I mean, I love staying active and all, but if there is a limit to how much exercise I should be doing, I would like to know about it. Are there any health risks associated with overdoing it in the gymnasium? I do not want to push myself too hard and end up causing harm to my body.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Certainly exercising will increase the endorphins in the body. Around 90 minutes of intense activity is about the most a normal person should do in a single session. Of course, if you take a lot of breaks it could be longer. I am referring to non-stop weightlifting or cardio for 90 minutes.

There is little benefit to working out vigorously for more than 60 minutes straight. Your muscles lose glycogen. It needs to be replenished. Once your muscles are depleted, any further exercise is pointless.

Professional bodybuilders split their routines in the morning and evening. That way they can get in more than 90 minutes a day and still experience some benefits. Even then, I doubt that anyone spends a full, continuous 90 minutes of exercise in the morning and again in the evening. My routine never lasts more than 45 minutes a day. I want to be healthy and still have balance in my life.

Thank you.

Regards.