How Well Can Fitness Be Maintained

[sparrow]

After establishing a pretty decent base of cardio and strength fitness, how well, or how long can that be maintained without the same intensity? I have spent the past 8 months building up my endurance and Vo2 max in running and cycling. I maintain my previous base of strength with 1-2 days of lifting. After an intense 8 months of 6 day a week workouts, I find myself having trouble maintaining the same intensity of training due to new things in my life. What does it take to maintain the peak performance associated with such previous training? I know quality speed sessions will keep fitness through tapering but how long before the quality of performance drops? That might be jibberish...but I hope someone sort of understands what I'm asking.

 

[goergen1]

What does it take to maintain the peak performance associated with such previous training?

You should be able to still maintain or increase your performance, you will just have to adjust your program to fit your new schedule.

You will find that with a little creativity and some research, you can find a training system that will work in any situation.

So don't start talking about progress dropping just yet.

I'll try yo look a little closer at your training log tomorrow to get more of the story.

 

[NBS 4life]

Unfortunately it is very hard to maintain "peak performance" this is why periodized training has become so common. You need to work out the times you have to peak so you can train to the points. That way you dont train to hard all the time and you dont get the feeling that you cannot maintain the same training intensity.

 

[flyinfree]

"I have spent the past 8 months building up my endurance and Vo2 max in running and cycling"

What does that mean Sparrow?

Define the intensity you are wanting to keep. For over 10 years I have kept the ability to walk out the door and run 10 miles. I have not always been able to keep the same body measurements though (but, I am 10 years older than you).

It is my belief that much of "on call" performance is mental. But, once you get into the over 60 minutes "rigorous activity" fitness level- consistency in conditioning seems necessary.

We can help each other here, let's work this out.

What do you want to be able to do?

 

[sparrow]

"I have spent the past 8 months building up my endurance and Vo2 max in running and cycling"

What does that mean Sparrow?

Define the intensity you are wanting to keep. For over 10 years I have kept the ability to walk out the door and run 10 miles. I have not always been able to keep the same body measurements though (but, I am 10 years older than you).

It is my belief that much of "on call" performance is mental. But, once you get into the over 60 minutes "rigorous activity" fitness level- consistency in conditioning seems necessary.

We can help each other here, let's work this out.

What do you want to be able to do?

See "Diary"