Overtraining confuses me

[Durk]

About a year ago or less I used to take an MMA wresting class for 1.5 hours, then emediately after take a boxing class for another 1.5 hours. I would do this about 4 days a week. It was fairly hardcore with plently of pylometric fitness training, and plenty of sparring. On top of that I would do a typical 3 day a week 5x5 program. I felt great all the time and even made strength gains, although a little slower than doing 5x5 without all the other training.

Since then I mostly swithched to DC having some of the greatest strength and muscle quality changes that I have had in my whole life. DC has been fairly good to me.

Recently a friend of mine who is a pretty gifted natural wanted me to be his training partner for a while, and I tried it for about 2 months. We would do about 4 sets of 5 excercises for each muscle group, going to failure on the last 3 sets. Twice in that period I got really sick and caught flu like symptoms for a week. I didnt feel like I was making gains and went back to DC.

I dont understand how five days a week for only an hour a day of weight training could wear me down, when I used to sometimes spend up to four hours a day at the gym? Is it because I used to have good cardio, and now that I dont it is hurting my recovery?

[Skailes]

Could be any number of issues causing what you're perceiving as over-training....not eating enough, not enough rest/sleep are two of the most common issues surrounding overtraining. It could also be as you were used to what is a very abbreviated workout program like DC that switching to a more conventional BBing volume routine was harder for you to recooperate from. Volume is very hard work and is tough on the CNS when you're not used to it, but if you're happy with DC then stick to what works for you......We all have to find our own path in life as well as in BBing.

[cog]

You're getting pussy whipped Durk!

[Praetorian]

I would agree going from DC to much higher volume is most likley the issue. I would suggest a more subtle transition...move to 2-3 working sets, for a few weeks, then 3-4, then 4-5...make smaller incremental changes and allow your CNS to adapt. You should also look at other variables...have they remained the same as well or have they changed...ie duration and quality of sleep, working hours, stress at work, relationship, family....all forms of stress can affect your ability to recuperate.
P

[Durk]

Thanks that makes a lot of sense guys. Dont get me wrong I love DC, but I thought having a fairly hardcore training partner would offer me a lot more intensity, and motivation. I love doing DC by myself. Its just hard to get other experienced bodybuilders to try it with you. I get looked at like I am retarded when I try and explain it lol. Still I am making solid gains with it on my own.