Strong and Vital No 3

and environmental stress. Stress symptoms may appear not only on a physical level, but also psy chological (sometimes including severe depression), social (inabi lity to relate, aggressive antisocial behaviour) and intellectual (lack of concentration, reduced creativity). The second factor is the level of acidosis in the body, which can be determined most accurately during training through the lac tate concentration in the blood. In strength training in particular, but also in the various forms of interval training (HIIT, HIT, TABATA, etc.), very high levels of acidosis can be produced in a short period of time, which can have a damaging effect on the body. The immune system (susceptible to illness) and the hormonal system (mood swings, lack of drive, loss of libido) are very at risk. Ultimately, every cell of the body is stressed or damaged. Aci dosis worsens in the presence of everyday stress, anxiety, poor diet (e.g. too much meat, sugar), en vironmental pollution, permanent activity on the smartphone, com puter, wearing earphones etc.. JPS: Does that mean that training is not always healthy? US: Exactly. As we have seen, intelligent training management and a balanced lifestyle make the difference between healthy and harmful. In the medium and long term, «healthy» also means train ing successfully to achieve the desired realistic goals. Harmful training can also be successful in the short term for a few weeks, until the negative effects set in and no progress or even regression is the result. JPS: Many instructors and trai nees say they can train very well by feel and do not need any tests or measurements. US: That’s usually a self-decep tion. If we are in overactive mode or, to put it negatively, stressed, then our self-perception is com promised. The result is always over-intensive training. The non sense attitude «no pain no gain» and «go hard or go home» leads to over-intensive training, especially in endurance training. JPS: What is your conclusion in a nutshell?

US: Intelligent training refers to biology, sports medicine and trai ning science. The spirit of the time, sensationalism and egomania are out of place here. Strength train ing is always very short and hard, whereas endurance training is always long, easier and frequent! Summary: If you follow the above indications, training in a Gym or Fitness Club is very HEALTHY!

UELI SCHWEIZER (1952), TOP-FIT. You need muscles for all sports and sleep a lot to survive.

STRONG and VITAL No. 3 - 2024

27