What are the symptoms of over exercising?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 24, 2026
Here are some symptoms of too much exercise:
- Being unable to perform at the same level.
- Needing longer periods of rest.
- Feeling tired.
- Being depressed.
- Having mood swings or irritability.
- Having trouble sleeping.
- Feeling sore muscles or heavy limbs.
- Getting overuse injuries.
What happens if you over exercise?
Overtraining occurs when a person partakes in too much physical training with too little rest and recovery after hard workouts. The resulting stress placed on the muscles, joints and bones causes fatigue and soreness that ultimately affects performance.
How do you know you are over exercising?
Individuals who overexercise tend to experience similar signs and symptoms, which include: Extended Muscle Soreness Muscle soreness after a workout should last three days, four at the most, Miranda says. Decreased Immune Response Getting sick more than usual is a sign of overtraining, according to Miranda.
What are 5 signs of overtraining?
5 Signs You're Overtraining
- You're fatigued. After a workout, you should feel like you have done work, but you should also feel energized. ...
- You're sore for days. ...
- You can't remember the last time you took a rest day. ...
- You're injured. ...
- You're dehydrated.
Is 6 days a week workout too much?
Do not work the same muscles on consecutive days—allow them time to recover. Some people do well on a five to six day a week schedule, working only one muscle group each time. If you want to go the gym more often, you can...but don't work overwork tired muscles. They need the rest.
33 related questions foundIs working out everyday OK?
A weekly day of rest is often advised when structuring a workout program, but sometimes you may feel the desire to work out every day. As long as you're not pushing yourself too hard or getting obsessive about it, working out every day is fine.
How many hours of exercise is too much?
While exercise has more plusses than a math workbook, you can take it too far: If you burn more than 6,500 calories a week with exercise (that's roughly 13 hours) or if you do more than two hours in a row of straight cardiovascular training.
Is 2 hours of exercise a day too much?
Those who need to lose weight might need even more. Based on that, working out 2 hours per day might not be a very big stretch for most people. However, if you are new to exercise, a 2 hour workout can do more harm than good. Start with 15 minute sessions, then gradually at time as your body adapts.
Is working out 5 days a week too much?
Training four or five times a week is ideal, but most people find that unachievable due to time constraints, so Mans says it's best to aim for three: “This exposes your body to a large enough training stimulus throughout the week, which enables the body to adapt, get stronger, leaner and fitter.”
Can overtraining make you sick?
Along with feeling run-down, you may find you get sick more often. You may also be prone to infections, mild illnesses, and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs).
Is 10 hours of exercise a week too much?
Exercising for more than 12 hours a week gives you the best chance of avoiding heart attacks, strokes, cancer and diabetes, experts claim. That is five times higher than the minimum activity suggested by the British Government and the World Health Organisation.
Why do I feel unwell after exercise?
During exercise, there may be a reduction of up to 80% in the blood flow to the abdominal organs, as the body sends more blood to the muscles and skin. This effect may result in nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Is walking 7 miles a day too much?
The rule is that there is no rule—not yet, at least. According to The New York Times, though, new research gives a more ambitious goal: 15,000 steps a day to avoid the risk of heart disease.
Is 7 hours of exercise a day too much?
So, what exactly is "too much" exercising? Well, it depends on factors like your age, health, and choice of workouts. But in general, adults should get around five hours a week of moderate exercise or two and a half hours of more intense activity.
Is 3 hours of working out too much?
Three hours of exercise is too much for the average person. It's more likely to lead to burnout than sustained weight loss.
How many rest days should I have a week?
It turns out, exercise experts pretty much agree on the number of rest days people who are in good shape and exercising regularly should take: On average, you should be taking two days per week for rest and active recovery.
Can you workout 7 days a week?
Yes, a cardio 7 days a week fat loss program can help you lose weight. However, it depends on the intensity of the workouts. Surprisingly, a study published in the American Physiological Society Journal showed that a daily cardio program with lower intensity workouts was more effective than high-intensity workouts.
How many days should I exercise to lose weight?
How much weight you lose depends on the amount of exercise you're willing to commit to and how closely you stick to your diet. If you really want to see results reflected on the scale and continue to make progress over time, you need to commit to working out at least four to five days per week.
Is it good to workout on an empty stomach?
Working out on an empty stomach won't hurt you—and it may actually help, depending on your goal. But first, the downsides. Exercising before eating comes with the risk of “bonking”—the actual sports term for feeling lethargic or light-headed due to low blood sugar.
Do you need rest days from walking?
Typically, rest days aren't necessary for light cardio. This includes activities like leisurely walking or slow dancing. It's safe enough to do every day, unless your doctor says otherwise. But if you're doing moderate or vigorous aerobic activity, rest days are essential.
Is 20000 steps a day too much?
Getting 20,000 steps per day is exhausting, but it's the good kind of exhausting. The kind of exhaustion that brings with it a sense of satisfaction. Every night during this week-long challenge, I crawled into bed earlier than usual with sore and tired muscles—and I loved it. I had pushed my body and it had kept up.
Is a 4 mile walk good?
Walking 4 miles a day is a great way to burn calories and lose weight, but it's important that you take the necessary precautions to avoid potential injuries. Make sure to add interval training, strength training, and plenty of rest to your program in order to see the best results.
Can too much exercise cause flu like symptoms?
“Overtraining leads to burnout which is horrible! You have flu-like symptoms due to adrenal fatigue,” says Aneeka Buys, Virgin Active master trainer and the brains behind the Women's Health Shedding For The Wedding exercise plan.
Can exercise cause flu like symptoms?
Yes, if you exert yourself hugely then it is possible to develop symptoms as though sick - this happens to marathon runners, for example. That happens because the high rates of air flow irritate our air passages, they become inflamed and we feel sick.
Is it normal to feel sick the day after working out?
Just like a real hangover, a workout hangover will require plenty of rest and fluids to help you recover. Keep a water bottle handy and avoid coffee or alcohol, which can dehydrate you further. In addition to sore muscles, sometimes people can nauseous after a workout.