Overtraining and contest prep

[BOOEY]

I read that some pros overtrain themselves on purpose weeks leading up to the show - something about bringing out the striations or something. No, I'm not going to overtrain myself, I was just wondering what the effect was and why the hell they would do that?

 

[silverbackn]

In some cases it's done to deplete glycogen so you will fill up better when you carb load

 

[onerepmaximum]

The glycogen thing makes sense. When you are on as much shit as they are on, is it possible to overtrain? For someone who isn't on a ton of shit, I would be reluctant to train very hard for a couple of reasons. One, to avoid going catabolic. Two because I don't have a great amount of motivation to train at all when I'm cutting real hard. Three because there is an increased chance of injury when you are lower in BF. I don't think I buy into the striations thing. They are gonna be there as a result of fat loss anyway.

 

[silverbackn]

The glycogen thing makes sense. When you are on as much shit as they are on, is it possible to overtrain? For someone who isn't on a ton of shit, I would be reluctant to train very hard for a couple of reasons. One, to avoid going catabolic. Two because I don't have a great amount of motivation to train at all when I'm cutting real hard. Three because there is an increased chance of injury when you are lower in BF. I don't think I buy into the striations thing. They are gonna be there as a result of fat loss anyway.

All good points! To bring in striations you are best to not train for a few days before a show bc you spill water as you deplete glycogen which will blur out your lines, a broken down muscle will also not pop as well when you hit it.

 

[BOOEY]

Thanks bros, that makes sense