NSCF Certified Personal Trainer Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A common sign of overtraining during a strength training program is a plateau or decreased performance. Overtraining occurs when an individual exceeds their body’s ability to recover from intense exercise, resulting in physical and psychological stress. When this happens, one may find that their strength levels stagnate, or they may even experience a decline in performance, which can manifest through decreased ability to lift weights, diminished endurance, or reduced motivation to train.

The body typically responds to stress through adaptations; however, when the training intensity and volume consistently exceed recovery capabilities, the adaptations can stall. This is often accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, and a higher susceptibility to injury. Recognizing a plateau or decrease in performance is crucial for trainers and athletes to make necessary adjustments to the training regimen, such as implementing rest days, decreasing workout volume, or incorporating active recovery strategies to allow for proper recovery and adaptation.