Should I Push Through, Or Pull Back?

Have you ever heard someone say...

"You'll only regret a workout you didn't do"

Or another another similar, but equally silly statement?

Because, obviously, that statement is far from true. We can think of plenty of scenarios when pushing yourself through a workout wouldn't be a good idea.

So, how do we know when to push through and when to pull back?

The answer starts with learning how to listen to our bodies, and not just the noise in our heads.

Our bodies are constantly communicating with us through signals like energy levels, soreness, motivation, sleep quality, and mood.

If we’re feeling a little tired or lethargic, that’s not always a sign to rest. Once we get moving, there's a good chance we’ll feel better.

But if we're dealing with things like...

• struggling to recover from a cold, days or weeks later

• struggling to recover from a minor injury

• Continuously declining performance in the gym

• Extreme fatigue, irritability, or mood changes...

Then we might be experiencing some symptoms of over training.

But to be completely honest... this is most likely the exception, not the rule.

Some people lean toward over-doing it. Pushing through exhaustion, ignoring warning signs, and equating rest with weakness.

But most people actually lean towards under-doing it, by skipping workouts when something comes up, overthinking their energy levels, and assuming that if they are feeling “off," they shouldn’t train.

Neither side is right or wrong, but knowing which camp you naturally fall into can help you make better decisions.

The TL,RD:

If you are the type of person who:

• Is frequently missing workouts because something came up, even for a valid reason

• finds that other things in life usually take priority over your training

• Often feels guilty when you are working out because of all the other things on your to do list

Then theres a good chance you would benefit from going to the gym vs not. Movement is medicine, and sometimes we underestimate how much it can do for us. Does this mean if you are feeling under the weather you should workout anyway? No. But it does mean that your overall health is likely to be improved by training consistently, even on days you don't feel your best.

If you are the type of person who:

• Tends to push yourself through a tough workout, regardless of how your body feels

• Often feels exhausted or extremely fatigued after a training session

• Often feels guilty or disappointed in yourself when you miss a workout

Then there is a good chance you would benefit from taking a rest day. Because yes, movement is medicine. But you know what else is? Rest. If you have gotten really good at dismissing the signals your body is giving you, then there is a good chance that your interpretation of how you are feeling is no longer accurate. If this sounds like you, it might be a useful to practice taking rest without letting guilt or shame get in your way.

In the end, the goal isn't to do more or do less. The goal is to respond appropriately to what our bodies need, instead of what our habits or emotions are telling us to do in the moment.