What is the meaning of progressive overload in training?

Progressive overload refers to the practice of gradually increasing the demands placed on the body during training in order to improve physical fitness and performance. This concept is crucial in strength training, endurance training, and overall fitness development, as it stimulates physiological adaptations that lead to improvement. By consistently challenging the body with increased intensity, volume, or complexity of workouts, individuals can develop greater strength, endurance, and overall fitness levels. For instance, this can involve increasing weights, repetitions, or varied types of exercises over time to ensure that the body continues to adapt and improve.

This principle stands in contrast to strategies that involve decreasing intensity or maintaining a constant routine, which may lead to plateaus in performance or ineffective training. Additionally, focusing only on aerobic activities would limit the overall benefits that diverse training modalities offer, including strength and flexibility components. Therefore, the essence of progressive overload is in its systematic and gradual increment of stress on the body to promote ongoing improvements.