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Overload

By Paige Waehner, About.com

Updated November 13, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Definition: A strength training principle which states that the intensity of exercise must be high enough above normal for physiological adaptation to occur. In other words, if you want to see results when lifting weights, you have to lift more than your muscles can handle. That overload will cause the muscle fibers to grow stronger and, sometimes, bigger in order to handle the extra load.

Learn more about strength training guidelines and the basic principles of exercise.

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