Exercise is not rocket science.

But it’s also not simple math.

There are so many variables in the human condition (stress, diet, sleep, allergies, chores, work, social relationships, expectations, etc.).

All these are constantly interacting and influencing our complex biology.

Therefore, having the same training schedule can sometimes be maladaptive.

If you’re going for that same hard workout you did the previous Tuesday, but your body system is slightly and maybe subconsciously impaired due to a regression to adapt to other stressors, then your body won’t be able to respond and adapt to the workout stress.

That workout stress becomes a load that overflows the whole system. And either an injury, soreness, compensations, or over fatigue are an outcome (there can be other outputs too).

So what do you do?

Follow this wonderful flow chart created by Scot Morrison.

It looks complicated (because it is), but if you follow along with it you’ll be able to work out and listen to your body (physical outputs) instead of just listening to your mind (perceived inputs).