1. #1
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    Default Bad Training Day? But WHY?

    Although the title of this post states "bad training day", I'd argue there is no such a thing as a bad training day. Even if you weren't able to perform at your best on a certain day, you still showed up and are building the habit of consistently training your body.
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    Now, to make sure that when you are in training you make the most of your time, let's look into some variables that could impair your performance. First, we have stress & sleep. A 2014 study by the University of Texas found that chronic psychological stress negatively affects energy levels and impair muscle recovery [1]. A 2018 research review shows that not sleeping enough for days on end also impairs muscle strength performance [2]. So if for some reason you feel less strong in the gym, it may be related to your stress and/or sleep.
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    Hydration is also important to consider. One research review suggests that athletes should prevent fluid loss of more than 2% of total body weight for performance [3]. For most people, simply drinking according to your thirst will put you in the right hydration ballpark [4]. But it can't hurt to carry a water bottle with you if for some reason you forget to drink throughout the day.
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    Lastly, it of course also is possible that you are undereating. If you are in a severe calorie deficit, you may notice your energy levels go down. But also if you just restrict carbohydrates you may not a decrease in performance. This is because carbs are an important fuel source for high-intensity exercise [5]. So if you start a low-carb diet, it is possible you feel less strong when lifting weights.
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    References:
    1. Chronic Psychological Stress Impairs Recovery of Muscular Function and Somatic Sensations Over a 96-hour Period - PubMed
    2. Inadequate Sleep and Muscle Strength: Implications for Resistance Training - PubMed
    3. American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Exercise and Fluid Replacement - PubMed
    4. Effect of Exercise-Induced Dehydration on Time-Trial Exercise Performance: A Meta-Analysis - PubMed
    5. ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations | Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | Full Text
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    I know some of the days that I was tired and just didn't want to train, I have had my best workouts ever. The are many factors that go into a perfect training session, some that are hard to pin point.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ashop View Post
    I know some of the days that I was tired and just didn't want to train, I have had my best workouts ever. The are many factors that go into a perfect training session, some that are hard to pin point.
    Its strange, but sometimes I fellt the same and I had amazing train sesions.
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  4. #4
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    It is like, we have to get out of our own way something.
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