What does "progressive overload" mean in the context of fitness training?

Progressive overload refers to the principle of gradually increasing the demands placed on the body during exercise to continually make gains in muscle strength, endurance, and overall fitness. This is essential because the body adapts to the workload it is subjected to, and without a gradual increase, progress can plateau.

By gradually increasing exercise intensity, duration, frequency, or other training variables, individuals challenge their bodies in a way that promotes adaptation and improvement over time. This method can involve increasing weights in strength training, adding more time or difficulty to cardiovascular workouts, or increasing the number of repetitions or sets performed. Ultimately, the concept of progressive overload is foundational in helping individuals achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively, ensuring continued development and preventing stagnation in training results.