What does the principle of progressive overload entail?

The principle of progressive overload is fundamental in fitness training and refers to the idea of gradually increasing the demands placed on the body during exercise. This can involve lifting heavier weights, increasing the intensity of workouts, or enhancing endurance by running faster or for longer distances.

By constantly pushing more weight or increasing the intensity of activities, the body's muscles adapt to these greater challenges, leading to improvements in strength, endurance, and overall fitness. This principle ensures that the body does not plateau and continues to develop over time. It stimulates muscle hypertrophy, promotes strength gain, and improves athletic performance.

In contrast, simply reducing weight, relaxing during workouts, or maintaining the same intensity does not challenge the body to adapt and grow, potentially leading to stagnation in progress.