Why is overtraining bad?

[-vulcano-]

I'm NOT referring to training a muscle five times in one week, I mean overtraining a muscle in one day's lifting session.

 

[kenwood]

you can't. i dont think in 1session

 

[GFR]

Very few people could over train in just one day.

 

[kenwood]

Very few people could over train in just one day.

you are one of the very few.

 

[CowPimp]

I'm NOT referring to training a muscle five times in one week, I mean overtraining a muscle in one day's lifting session.

That's not possible. Overtraining is a chronic state of being. Overreaching is an acute instance of going beyond your body's recovery capacity, and may actually be a good thing if followed by a period of "undertraining."

 

[mike456]

it doesnt matter how many times you train a muscle in one week, muscles recover in about 24 hours, it is about putting too much stress on your CNS via training to failure, or to heavy! alot of people don't understand this. So yes it is possible to overtrain if you train too heavy or too failure too much a day even if you only train 3 times a week and are training different muscles on those three days.
For example: you will probably overtrain on a program like this:
Push:
Flat Bench 5x5 failure every set
Incline Bench 5x5 failure every set
Military Press 5x5 failure every set
Dips 5x5 failure every set

Pull
Rows 5x5 failure every set
Pull-ups 5x5 failure every set
Cable Rows5x5 failure every set
Upright Rows5x5 failure every set

Legs
Squat5x5 failure every set
Deadlift5x5 failure every set

Get the point ?!?!

On the other hand you can train the same muscle 3 times a week, but not to failuire and not too heavy all three of those days and be fine!
For example: you will probably not overtrain on a routine like this
Monday
Flat Bench 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Squat 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Deadlift 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Bent-over Row 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Pull-ups 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Military Press 3x10 2 reps short of failure

Wedensday
Flat Bench 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Squat 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Deadlift 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Bent-over Row 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Pull-ups 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Military Press 3x10 2 reps short of failure

Friday
Flat Bench 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Squat 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Deadlift 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Bent-over Row 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Pull-ups 3x10 2 reps short of failure
Military Press 3x10 2 reps short of failure

To answer your question in short- If you are not training to failure or heavy, you can train 2-3 hours a day if you want, and not overtrain, Are you going to have more gains than a regular 30-45 minute workout- NO, Is it a waste of time and energy- YES, Is it a stupid thing to do- yes

 

[-vulcano-]

What does the stress on the CNS consist of? What are the consequences?

 

[BigDyl]

Overtrainings bad because it fries your CNS, SON.

 

[mike456]

What does the stress on the CNS consist of? What are the consequences?

just got these off some random site:
Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy
general achiness
Pain in muscles & joints
Sudden drop in performance
Insomnia
Headaches
Decreased immunity (increased number of colds, and sore throats)
decrease in training capacity / intensity
moodiness and irritability
depression
loss of enthusiasm for the sport
decreased appetite
increased incidence of injuries.