Why progressive overload matters
Lifting the same weights day in and day out will not make you stronger or fitter. If you walk in the gym on day one and lift the same weights on day 100, you have not gotten any stronger and your body composition has most likely stayed the same. Here’s how to ensure that never happens.
Progressive overload refers to a slow, gradual increase in intensity of your workouts. It is very subtle, happening over the course of weeks and months. Done properly, it will make your fitness journey a whole lot smoother.
Putting this concept into practice is very easy: add more weight or more reps to your workouts each week or every other week. That’s it.
The rate at which you increase the intensity will vary between individuals and experience will play a huge role. Beginners can add intensity quicker than advanced lifters due to a rapid increase in technique, but the concept stays the same for everyone: keep making it more challenging, no matter how slow you do it.
There are many, many ways you can put this concept into effect. The easiest way is by adding reps. Say you did 3 sets of 10 squats at 100 pounds last week. This week try to do 3 sets of 10 squats at 105 pounds. And that’s it! You progressed over last week. Then the following week do 3 sets of 10 squats at 110 pounds.
Here are more ways to increase your intensity
The 2 rep rule
If you can do 2 extra reps on your last set on 2 consecutive workouts, add weight. Adding 5%-10% will suffice. These two extra reps have to be done with impeccable technique otherwise adding weight is not recommended.
Rep increase
Each week (or every other week), add 2 extra reps to your sets. If you can manage to do 3 sets of 10 push ups this week, try to do 3 sets of 12 next week.
Shortening your rest periods
If you do 3 sets of 10 squats with 60 seconds rest in between last week. Try doing the same thing this week with only 45 seconds rest in between.
Add finishers
Make your last set tougher by adding finishers to them. Finishers can be drop sets, rest pause sets, repping out or cardio finishers.
Let’s take lunges