January 12, 2026

Overtraining vs Under-Recovery: How to Tell the Difference

Most people aren’t overtraining—they’re under‑recovering.

Athletic personal trainer sitting on a gym bench post-workout with a towel over his shoulders

True overtraining is rare. More often, sleep, stress, and nutrition aren’t keeping up with training.

Signs you need recovery

  • Performance drops week to week.
  • Sleep quality declines.
  • Motivation and mood dip.

Add rest, reduce volume, and prioritize sleep.