Why Overtraining is an Overhyped Concern for Men in Their 50s and Beyond
Hi, I’m Skip La Cour. I help older, busy, productive men transform their health, fitness, and mindset—so they not only get in shape but maintain a healthy, fit lifestyle for the rest of their lives. If you’re here, you’re in the right place. This is Lesson #9 of my 30 Lessons in 30 Days series, where I simplify fitness for men like you. Whether you’ve tried and failed before or you’re just getting started, I want you to break through, simplify the process, and finally make lasting progress.
One of the most common concerns I hear from older men is about overtraining. You’ve likely been told that training too often or too intensely will push your body past its ability to recover, causing you to lose muscle, gain fat, or even go backwards in your progress. That’s a real fear—after all, who wants to waste time, effort, and energy only to end up worse off? But here’s the reality: this concern is greatly exaggerated. In my 36 years of training and coaching, working with countless dedicated men, I’d estimate that 95% of them are nowhere near overtraining. In fact, most are under-training. The body can handle much more than you think, and your level of effort, intensity, and recovery strategies are what truly matter—not some arbitrary rule about workout frequency or duration.
Why Overtraining is Rarely an Issue for Older Men
Understanding Training Intensity and Individual Limits
Let’s say you walk into a gym and pick out five older men. Each of them has the exact same workout plan—same exercises, same reps, same sets. However, every single one will execute that workout differently. One might use 50-pound dumbbells and push with intensity. Another might grab 30-pound dumbbells and go through the motions. One might be laser-focused, lifting with perfect form, while another casually lifts weights while chatting. Even with the same plan on paper, the level of exertion and its effects on their bodies will be completely different.
This is why blanket statements like, “You shouldn’t work out more than three days a week,” or, “You should only do a certain number of sets,” don’t make sense. Some men recover faster, some push harder, and some instinctively adjust their intensity based on how they feel. Your body is incredibly adaptable, and rather than worrying about “overtraining,” most men would benefit from focusing on training smarter, more consistently, and with the right intensity.
Sure, some guys get obsessed—using the gym as an emotional escape, training hard every day like a workaholic. Even in those cases, true “overtraining” doesn’t result in losing muscle; it just means you might be spending more time than necessary to get the same results. You won’t go backwards—you just won’t be optimizing your time efficiently. The body naturally protects itself from breakdown. If you push too hard, you’ll likely just feel exhausted, and you’ll instinctively scale back.
So, if you’ve been hesitant to train more often because of overtraining fears, don’t let that stop you. Instead, focus on progressive overload, proper recovery, and consistency. If you’re pushing yourself at a reasonable intensity, fueling your body well, and prioritizing rest, you’ll make progress without needing to worry about this overblown myth.
Let’s Connect! At the end of this article, you’ll have the chance to connect with me directly, get your most pressing questions answered, and receive personalized help. Just text me your picture and fill out the questionnaire at the bottom.
Take the Guesswork Out—Get Coaching to Speed Up the Process
If you’ve been struggling to figure out the right balance of training intensity, workout frequency, and recovery, I can help. My one-on-one coaching program is designed to remove all the confusion and guesswork, helping you create a sustainable plan that fits your lifestyle. I’ll guide you week by week to ensure you’re on track, making progress, and staying accountable—so you can finally get in shape and stay in shape for life.
Want to cut through all the noise and get clear, proven strategies that actually work? Reach out to me today and let’s create a plan tailored for you.
And don’t forget—Lesson #10 drops tomorrow. Make sure you come back for the next key insight in my 30 Lessons in 30 Days series!
Skip La Cour
Workouts for Older Men
Text me at 925-352-4366
Take These Two Easy Steps
1. Text Me Your Picture and Introduce Yourself. Text me a picture at 925-352-4366 so I can see where your body is now. I’ll be able to help you even better. A picture does indeed tell me a “1,000 words” and we’ll be more efficient with our time when we speak on the phone. Whatever you feel comfortable with is fine. I can tell a lot even with your shirt one.
2. Fill Out The Questionnaire Below. This questionnaire will help me learn more about you. Not only will it help me learn more about you and better serve your needs, it will help you gain more clarity as to what you want and what may be stopping you from getting it.
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