How To Use ‘Progressive Overload’ To Get Stronger

As you get stronger, you become able to lift heavier and heavier weights. That’s the idea at the heart of an often-misunderstood fitness concept: progressive overload. Unfortuantely, there are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about this principle, so here’s how to use it to plan your own workouts or judge whether a program you’re following will keep you on track.

Progressive overload is the increase, over time, in the amount of work or stress you ask your body to handle. The term is used two different ways: as a principle of how the human body works, and as a description of how a workout program changes over time. If you want to know how to “do progressive overload,” you’re thinking of the second one—how to design a workout program.

More, here.

Leave a Reply

The holiday period looks different for everyone, but for many people it involves time with loved ones, abundant meals, a...
No-Sit-Ups-Or-Crunches-—-Just-20-Minutes-Of-Core-Building-Dumbbell-Exercises
The festive season can throw our exercise routines out the window. You might be staying somewhere different, with no access...
Holidays-Can-Break-Your-Routine-Heres-How-To-Keep-Exercising
Certain things fall squarely in the “can never have enough of” category—vacations, time with loved ones, annual bonuses, sleep, sex....
How-You-Can-Avoid-Overtraining
For me, the hardest part about working out is finding the time to actually do it. I’m decidedly not an early...
How-Bad-Is-It-Really-To-Work-Out-At-Night
One of the main reasons surfers tend not to travel further afield is down to one thing—cost. Why should you...
5-Budget-Surf-Trips-That-Wont-Break-The-Bank-Much
Join Eva zu Beck in Thailand to train under one of the country's most decorated Muay Thai champions, Manasak Pinsinchai.…
I-Trained-Like-A-Muay-Thai-Fighter-For-14-Days-Superskilled-With-Eva-Zu-Beck-S2-E4
The year is 1975. Fifteen cows, three goats, two geese and a pig were found mutilated in the small town...
How-A-Cave-Jumping-Daredevil-Transformed-Puerto-Ricos-Climbing-Scene
Explorer Eva zu Beck travels to Iten, Kenya - the legendary "Home of Champions" known for producing the fastest long-distance…
I-Trained-With-Kenyas-ELITE-Runners
Fitness fads come and go, and vibrations are the latest to join the fray. These claim to offer a new way...
We-Asked-Experts-If-Vibration-Plates-Are-A-Fitness-Fad-Or-If-They-Have-Real-Health-Benefits
Many gym-goers equate an effective workout session to how much they sweat. If you’re not dripping in sweat, did you...
Do-You-Need-To-Sweat-For-A-Workout-To-Count
Our aims with fitness challenges range from wanting to try out new moves that address muscle imbalances to breaking out...
What-Really-Happens-When-You-Do-100-Lunges-A-Day-For-A-Month
AS A RUNNER, I’m always trying to convince my friends to join me on a jog. I can’t count the...
Is-Running-Bad-For-Your-Knees-Experts-Explain
What's the best chest workout to match your training goals. In this video, our experts compare eight different chest workouts…
Best-Chest-Workout-To-Match-Your-Goals-Experts-Compare-Eight-Complete-Chest-Workouts
This time of year is busy and if you keep finding yourself bumping leg day to ‘tomorrow’, exercise scientist, Dr....
An-Exercise-Scientist-Says-These-Two-10-Minute-Workouts-Build-Stronger-Legs-Fast
Many of us have made the common assumption that more training equals better body composition and strength results, only to...
This-YouTuber-Used-To-Train-6-Days-A-Week-—-But-Saw-Better-Results-When-He-Cut-To-3
I had never been to France, but I saw enough on TV to anticipate the clichés: rows of aristocratic, cream-colored...
The-Rise-Of-The-Runcation
POV: You have 3 sets of 8 to 10 goblet squat reps. You’re feeling good today, so you pick up...
How-Many-Reps-Should-You-Do-To-Build-Muscle-A-New-Study-Just-Settled-The-Debate
Discover the benefits of walking, and how this simple exercise can positively impact the health of your body and brain....
Screenshot-2025-11-13-at-14.09.12
Liam Hemsworth recently replaced Henry Cavill in Netflix’s Season 4 of The Witcher, and his trainer has shared a behind-the-scenes look at his workouts. Following a push-pull-legs...
Liam-Hemsworths-Trainer-Shares-The-Push-Workout-Behind-His-Bulked-Up-Witcher-Physique
Ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel becomes the first person to climb Mount Everest and ski back to Everest Base Camp without...
I-Skied-Down-Mount-Everest-World-First-No-Oxygen
Are weak toes killing your performance? Do stronger toes mean better gains? Looking at the research, toe strength could be...
Your-Toes-Might-Be-The-Weakest-Link-In-Your-Workout-—-Heres-The-Research
If you’re chasing serious muscle and willing to work hard for it, then the name Vince Gironda might ring a...
Vince-Girondas-‘8×8-Training-System-Simple-Brutal-And-Shockingly-Effective
Known and revered among explorers as one of the most extremely diverse continents on the planet, South America is coveted...
South-Americas-Most-Dangerous-And-Thrilling-Hikes
Whether you’re a young runner trying to be more competitive in races or a recent convert to running via the...
How-To-Run-A-Faster-5K
Good news for the time-poor: a new study shows that just 30 minutes of strength training twice a week –...
Forget-Hours-In-The-Gym-–-Heres-Why-Two-30-Minute-Workouts-A-Week-Are-Enough-For-Real-Results
Nepal’s mountains including Everest have long drawn climbers from across the world, but a growing community is exploring hidden summits...
Nepals-Hidden-Mountains-Draw-New-Wave-Of-Climbers
The question of whether men over 50 can still build muscle concerns many fitness enthusiasts. It’s a widespread misconception that...
What-Men-Over-50-Should-Focus-On-To-Build-Muscle-Effectively
There’s a moment every camper knows – when the pavement ends, the trees close in, and your phone loses signal....
Signal-Secrets-A-Field-Guide-To-Staying-Connected-Off-Grid
Lifting weights just two or three times a week can significantly change the trillions of bacteria living in your gut,...
Lifting-Weights-Could-Change-Your-Gut-Microbiome-Within-Weeks
Q: What gear do I actually need for my first overnight backpacking trip? Start with the essentials: a backpack, tent,...
Beginner-Backpacking-FAQ-Common-Questions-Answered
Stories
Videos
Podcasts
Jobs
Search